THE COMMON BROWN TROUT. 239 



during its existence, only, however, slightly altering the colours. Pea- 

 cock herl, with a red cock's hackle wrapped over it, and tied with light 

 brown or red silk thread. This corresponds also with the larvae of the 

 Drinker Moth (Odnestis potatoria). It may be varied by a ruby stained 

 hackle, which answers well on the Dove. Hook No. 6 (Palmer's). 



The Brown Palmer. Caterpillar of Spilosoma lubricapeda, or the 

 spotted Buff Ermine Moth, found on nettles. Mulberry-coloured worsted, 

 spun on brown silk, and a brown-stained cock's hackle wrapped over the 

 whole. It may be varied (to imitate 8. Menthastri) by making the body 

 of ostrich herl, of a drab colour, and winding a grizzled hackle over. 

 Hook No. 6 (Palmer's). 



The Black <md Red Palmer. This is the caterpillar of the Gutia coxa 

 moth, full grown. Black ostrich herl ribbed with gold twist, and a red 

 cock's hackle wrapped over it. This fly may be made large. The 

 feather at the shoulder should be a large furnace hackle from the rump 

 of a game cock, and the ostrich should be wound thickest there. The 

 gold twist should be shown clearly at the tail, and the tail hook should 

 be large and strong. These hackles are useful all the year round, and 

 that is one reason why I have placed them in the list so early. They are 

 also capital lures for Thames trout if dressed large, and I have killed 

 more than one good chub with this fly. In fishing for the latter fish I 

 never use more than a stretcher, finding that if a couple of these fish 

 attack one there is but scant chance of restraining, and a great risk of 

 losing, both. 



FLIES FOR APRIL. 



" The Stone Flye. The body of black wull, and yelowe under the wynge. 

 and under the tayle and the wynge of the drake. In the begynnyng of 

 May a good flye. the body or roddyd wull and lappid abowte wyth black 

 sylke : the wynges of the drake and of the redde capon's hakyll." 

 (Book of St. Albans.) 



Yellow Dun or Dotterel Dun (Order Neuroptera, family Ephemeridce, 

 genus Baetis, species Flavescens [pseud-imago]). This is a most fairy- 

 like and altogether beautiful fly, and is generally on the water from ten till 

 three. It seems to be a sort of second crop of the Blue Dun, and prefers 

 warmer weather for its appearance. It should not be dressed larger 

 than the Blue Dun. Body. Yellow mohair, mixed with a little pale 

 blue fur from a mouse, or yellow silk thread waxed, and with the least 

 blue rabbit fur spun upon it, and ribbed with yellow silk. Wings. 

 Upright, from the lightest part of a young starling's quill feather. Legs. 

 A light yellow dun hackle. 



Iron Blue Dun (Order Neuroptera, family Ephemeridce, genus Cloeon, 

 species Diptera [pseud-imago], Eonald) . This is the Iron Blue Drake of 



