THE COMMON BROWN TROUT. 227 



advocated will reap. For nothing is more certain than that some waters 

 usually large ones, whether rivers or lakes require large flies ; whilst 

 small ones, almost equally universally, have to be fished with small 

 flies 



" Under my system, in which the flies are typical and not specific 

 imitations, the size can always be adapted to the size of the water, with- 

 out any loss of imitativeness." 



Now, Mr. Stewart, notwithstanding Fennel!' s assertion that he has 

 adopted the position which Eonald took, which insists on the imitation of 

 the natural fly, gives a sort of diluted Ronald, with a dash of Pennell 

 opinion in the choice of flies. He says " In practice it has been proved, 

 beyond a doubt, that a black, brown, red, and dun coloured fly used 

 together, and varied in size according to circumstances, will at any time 

 kill as well and even better than the most elaborate collection arranged 



for every month in the year If he has four flies, such as those 



mentioned above, he cannot be very far off the mark, as these comprise all 

 the leading colours of which insects generally are." He also condemns 

 the many flies in vogue amongst fishermen, and adds, as to the preference 

 given by trout for different colours, " Their caprice, however, and love of 

 variety may be the main reasons why trout prefer one colour to another." 

 From these extracts it will be seen, therefore, that he is adverse to the 

 pursued imitation of all the flies given by Francis and Eonald. 



Let us now glance at the opinion Eonald really did espouse in reference 

 to the subject, that the whole of the question may be fairly before the 

 reader ere he is called upon to use his judgment as to the best system. 

 " It should never be forgotten that, let the state of the weather or the 

 water in respect of clearness be what it may, success in fly fishing very 

 much depends upon showing the fish a good imitation both of colour 

 and size, and of that insect which he has recently taken an exact 

 resemblance of the shape does not seem to be quite so essential a 

 requisite as that of colour, since the former varies according to the 

 position of the insect either in or on the water but a small fly is usually 

 employed when the weather is fine, because the fish is then better enabled 

 to detect an imitation, and because the small fly is more easily imitated. 

 The resemblance of each particular colour is not required to be so exact 

 as in the case of a large fly." 



I have thus given, perhaps somewhat tediously, the opinions of the 

 three great masters of fly fishing, for the direct purpose of placing before 

 the reader the systems on which they base their faith and practice. It 

 now becomes my duty to criticise the views of Mr. Pennell in the light 

 of my own experience, and I think I shall have little difficulty in showing 

 the weakness of his propositions. 



Q2 



