THE COMMON BKOWN TROUT. 241 



Gravel Bed, or Spider Fly, or Sand Gnat (Order Diptera, family 

 Tipuiidoe, genus Anisomera, species Obscurce). This fly is by no means 

 a numerous species. It is found only in a few localities, but where it 

 makes its home it is tolerably abundant. In cold days it takes shelter 

 amongst the larger stones of the gravel, and in its use is applicable to 

 any part of the day. It makes its debut about the middle of April, and 

 is in season for at least a month. Body. Dark dun cr lead coloured silk 

 thread, dressed very fine. Wings. From an under covert feather of the 

 woodcock's wing. Legs. A black cock's hackle, rather long, wound 

 twice only round the body. Hook No. or 1, long. 



Sand Fly (Order Trichoptera, family Phryganidce, genus Limnepkilus, 

 species Flavus). This fly has been highly extolled by many fly fishers, 

 not the least by Bainbridge. In the " Flyfishers' Guide" he says that 

 "it may be reckoned as one of the best flies for affording diversion 

 which can possibly be selected, for it may be used successfully at all 

 hours of the day from April to the end of September, and is equally 

 alluring to trout and grayling." The fly called the cinnamon fly, used 

 in September, very nearly resembles it. Mr. Francis does not seem to 

 think much of it. I do. It has resulted in some really considerable 

 sport on suitable occasions to me, and I here can safely recommend it 

 as one of the most useful of the " all round " flies a term which will 

 explain itself. Body. Of the sandy coloured fur from the hare's neck, 

 spun on silk of the same colour. Wings. From the landrail's wing, 

 made full. Legs. From a light ginger feather from the neck of a hen. 



FLIES FOB MAT. 



" The yelow flye. The body of yelow wull : the wynges of the redde 

 cocke hakyll and of the drake lytted yelow. The blacke louper, the body 

 of blacke wull and lappyd abowte wyth the herle of ye pecok tayle and 

 the wynges of ye redde capon with a blewe hedd." (Book of St. 

 Albans.) 



Stone Fly (Order Neuroptera, family Perlidce, genus Perla, species 

 Bicaudata). This fly comes from a water larvse, called the crab or 

 creeper, which is often used itself, and is a capital trout bait. (I shall 

 consider this bait further on.) It is heavy in flight, but is remarkably 

 active, after it has plunged itself on the water, with its legs. Eonald 

 kept one alive for three weeks, during which time it drank much water. 

 It is used principally for " dopping " (which will also be treated further 

 on), and is a very capital bait for Thames trout. Body. Fur of hare's 

 ear mixed with yellow worsted or camlet, ribbed over with yellow silk, 

 leaving most yellow at the tail. Tail. A strand or two of a brown 

 mottled partridge feather. Wings. Quill feather from the hen pheasant's 



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