TROUT-FLIES. 95 



limited most likely to that gained on some half a dozen 

 lakes or rivers in their own neighbourhood. 



Local prejudices are, however, by no means confined 

 to professional fishermen. Even first-rate amateur per- 

 formers are often imbued with the notion that no flies 

 but those they have been accustomed to consider the 

 correct thing on particular rivers and streams will kill in 

 them. I remember once fishing the most famous 

 Trouting loch in Scotland, in company with two of her 

 most celebrated (and justly celebrated) anglers, and when 

 I showed them the flies I meant to use, they assured me 

 that they " would never kill fish in Loch Leven !" At the 

 end of the first day, however, my basket, which included 

 seven Trout weighing I4lbs., was found to be heavier than 

 both theirs. This result I attribute of course solely to 

 the flies, not, be it well understood, to the fisherman. 



I will not go so far as to say that there may not be 

 exceptional occasions — or even exceptional rivers, though 

 that I should much doubt — on w^hich some local pattern 

 of fly may not prove more killing than the three typical 

 flies I recommend ; but I am quite satisfied that taking 

 the average of waters and weathers, and the great saving 

 of time in the avoidance of experimental changings of 

 flies, my patterns — which have been tested frequently 

 against the best local flies on half the principal Trouting 

 waters in the British Islands — will kill more fish in the 

 course of the year than any others at present generally 

 known. 



