TROUT-FLIES. 9/ 



lard, generally), set nearly back to back, and pointing 

 upwards and outwards ; and secondly, its body, which is 

 composed almost entirely of materials unabsorbent of 

 water, such as mohair and hackles. 



The method of using the dry-fly on the Stour and a 

 few other rivers, where its use is best understood, is very 

 peculiar. A large fish, say, is known to inhabit some par- 

 ticular hole or eddy. The spot is watched by the angler 

 until he sees the fish rising, and then the fly is cast so as 

 to fall a foot or two above him, and allowed to float (dry) 

 passively over him. On the fly becoming wet, which 

 happens after every cast, it is dried by being rapidly 

 thrown to and fro, or " spread" in the air, when it is ready 

 for another cast ; but this is seldom made until the rise 

 of a fish is seen, or his haunt known. Some fishermen 

 who use the dry-fly consider it is not properly dried 

 without a little crack or " flick" taking place at the 

 end of the spread ; but this " flick," though doubtless 

 very artistic, often whips off the fly. A stiff rod with a 

 tolerably pliant top is the best for the purpose. The dry- 

 fly being presented to the fish in the same way as the 

 natural fly, is most killing when the particular natural fly 

 imitated (which is commonly the May-fly) is on the water. 

 Smaller flies are made, but it is found difficult in prac- 

 tice to " float" them ; and, indeed, the whole process is 

 cumbersome, and is only worth practising on rivers 

 where the fish are very large and wary, or cannot be 

 taken in any other way. 



H 



