78 ANGLING FOE GAME FISH. 



great favourites, and a fly with fiery-brown wool or fur body, 

 wings and backle as nearly as possible to match, often kills 

 better than any. In Wales, the Orl-fly (Alder without wings) is 

 a great favourite. The Alexandra (page 46) rises trout on 

 many lakes. There is, indeed, no end to the flies that will kill. 

 I have given the dressings* of a few of the best — some of 

 my own design, others collected from various sources, but 

 all good and sure killers if tied to the size and shape for the 

 particular district. 



I usually tie large lake flies myself, and find that rough- 

 bodied flies often kill better than the neatly-tied flies from the 

 shops. The only materials needed are some teal and mall?T 

 breast feathers (the darker the better) for wings, dyed pigs^N . 

 or seal fur (the latter is far better, but not always to be got — I 

 dislike mohair), and floss silk, for the body, a few red and black 

 cock's hackles, and fine gold and silver twist. In Fig. 57 is 

 shown the whole process of tying a lake-trout fly. Other flies 

 are tied in much the same way. I have only lately adopted the 

 plan of putting the wings on first. It seems to me the easiest 

 way, and makes a strong fly ; but it is more usual to put the 

 wings on last of all. The most useful colours for the seal fur 

 are clarets in various shades (particularly an almost black 

 claret), brownish reds, olive-greens, and scarlet. 



Fly-fishing from the Shore can, of course, only be 

 practised when the fish come within casting distance. "Waders 

 are often most useful. If the margin of the lake is weed}'', use 

 only one fly ; if clear, two or three. The fineness of the tackle 

 should depend entirely on the size of the fish and the weather. 

 On rough days, coarse tackle will do ; on fine, bright days, with 

 little wind, it can hardly be too fine. The cast may be made 



* 1. Body, almost black claret, with or without silver twist. Black hackle. Dark 

 mallard winj?. A favourite fly with large trout. 



2. Red pigswool body, with gold twist. Teal wing. Red cock's hackle. 



3. Reddish brown silk body. Woodcock wing. Coch-y-bondu hackle. 



4. Strongly barred black and white teal wing and taU. Bright red hackle. Pale 

 green body. 



5. Dark green body. Grouse wing and tail. Smoky blue hackle. 



6. Olive-green body. Olive hackle to match body. Mallard wing. 



Most of these flies are best with a turn of gold or silver tinsel at tail. On some 

 days they kill best if ribbed with silver or gold twist, but not always. 



