240 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



Theakatone, Little Iron Blue of Wade, Little Dark Bloa of Jackson, 

 Little Dark Dun of "Ephemera." It is one of the smallest flies used by 

 the angler, but is not the less useful on that account. It is on the water 

 chiefly on cold days, and is an exceedingly valuable little bait on occasions, 

 especially in some rivers, for grayling. It changes to the Jenny Spinner 

 after a few days. Body. Blue fur from a mole ; reddish brown floss 

 silk may be tied on for the head. Tail. A whisk or two out of a yellow 

 dun hackle. Wings. Prom a feather of the underside of a cormorant's 

 wing ; or, in default thereof, a feather from the breast of the water hen, 

 the tip of which must be used ; or the upper end of the wing feather of 

 a tomtit when in full plumage. Legs. A very small yellow dun hackle. 

 The blue of this fly is very difficult to hit exactly. It is therefore well 

 to have several shades of the hues required dyed by Judson's dyes, which, 

 by the by, I have found very valuable in fly tying. 



Jenny Spinner, or Spinning Jenny (Order Neuroptera, family Epheme- 

 ridce, genus Cloeon, species Diptera [imago]). This is the Blue Dun in 

 its new dress, and lasts four or five days. It is the little White Spinner 

 of Jackson and the Pearl Drake of Theakstone. Body. White floss 

 silk wound round the shank of the hook, &c., and tied on at the head 

 and tail with brown silk, which must be shown. Tail. A whisk or two 

 of light dun hackle. Wings and Legs Are best imitated by making 

 them buzz, for which purpose the lightest dun hackle that can be pro- 

 cured should be used. Hook No. 0, short. The foregoing is probably the 

 nearest of all to the natural fly, but is very imperfect nevertheless. 



Black Gnat, or Black Midge (Order Diptera, family Empidce, genus 

 Rhamphomyia, species JEthiops). This tiny fly, from its difficulty of 

 imitation, has been called the " fisherman's curse " by Jesse and others. 

 It is very killing. I have found the stomachs of trout and grayling 

 nearly gorged with this little fellow, and I recollect full well getting seven 

 brace of beautiful trout one April evening from the Wandle with its 

 imitation (as follows), after toiling all day and catching nothing with 

 other flies. Body. Black ostrich herl. Wings: The dark part of a 

 feather from the starling. Legs. A black hackle. 



Hawthorn Fly (Order Diptera, family Tipulidce, genus Bibio, species 

 Hard). This is a land fly, and is found plentifully towards the end of 

 April, near and in hawthorn bushes or hedges. There are three sorts, 

 but the middle size is that imitated. The female of each has dark 

 opaque wings, whilst the males have theirs dark but transparent. The 

 male is more abundant than the female. Body. Black ostrich herl. 

 Wings. A feather of the starling's wing. Legs. A black cock's hackle, 

 or one or two of the two largest feathers from a peewit's top knot. Hook 

 No 2 or 3, long. 



