230 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



pike. I tried it in a lake of limited dimensions, and the result was wonder- 

 ful. It even beat the natural bait, no matter how presented. After a 

 time, though plenty of fish still remained for many, the majority, in 

 fact, which were caught were returned it lost its attractiveness. 

 Gradually it became less killing as the eyes of the fish became used to 

 the novelty, and now the result with it is nil. Why ? may be asked. 



This is the true reason. All creatures of prey are strangely affected 

 by glitter and glow and colour until their vitality and movement cease 

 to stimulate. The philosophy of the reason for this need not be here 

 discussed. The fact remains. " Valuing the giddy pleasure of the eyes," 

 they seek its possession, or to know what it is ; possibly its "life," 

 "glitter," "movement," "warmth," call it what you like, rouses an 

 antagonistic spirit common to predaceous creatures. Anyhow, such baits 

 kill for a time, and that only. 



Thus is it with Mr. Penn ell's flies. I have tried a stream accessible to 

 myself only with these flies so persistently that now I cannot get a rise at 

 them. The curiosity of the flesh is satisfied ; the stimulus which the 

 bright fast colours hitherto occasioned has lost its power. But they will 

 take a May fly imitation, because it looks like a fly of which they are 

 profoundly fond. 



Now, as to size. It is indisputable that some men require a small fly, 

 as Mr. Pennell properly observes, and it is equally true that the small fly 

 may not be half the size of the normal growth of the insect. But has 

 Mr. Pennell observed the fact that, on the rivers requiring small flies 

 that insect life is generally not very plentiful, from some natural cause 

 and that the insects are themselves not of normal size in the majority of 

 cases ? Owing to climatic necessities, the Esquimaux are abnormally small 

 people, but they belong to the genus homo nevertheless. Owing to some 

 peculiarity of habitat, the ephemeridce on some streams are dwarfed and 

 not numerous, but they are flies notwithstanding. How often, it might 

 be asked, is it necessary to use a larger fly than the natural one on a given 

 stream ? Depend upon it, the sitting down and imitating extemporaneously 

 the fly you have driven out of the scope, as Ronald recommends, is of a 

 sounder theory and practice than the " typical " fly can boast. The latter 

 are evolutions from Mr. PennelPs inner consciousness, and, his subtleties 

 in their favour notwithstanding, had better there remain, so far as the tyro 

 is concerned, if he desires to become a first-class fly fisher who can, no 

 matter how long he fishes a stream, procure himself fair sport so long as 

 fish therein remain. 



That the reader may not, however, accuse me of withholding information, 

 I give Mr. Pennell' s dressing of his three typical flies for trout and gray- 

 ling : 



