64 FOSTER'S LIST OF REFINED AND IMPROVED 



" The imitations are wonderfully exact." The Nation, New York, U.S.A. 



too overdrawn to gain the allegiance of experienced and unbiased 

 judges. 



Naturalists and entomologists of note agree there are upwards of three 

 hundred varieties of aquatic insects, but the vast majority of these, 

 it is also affirmed, are rarely, if ever, touched by the fish, whose pre- 

 ference is, as a rule, given enthusiastically to those flies most numerous 

 at any time through the season. Thus the Little Black Smut, or 

 Angler's Plague, as it is occasionally called, when heavily plentiful, 

 will wholly monopolise the attention of the rising fish, though other 

 and larger insects may be " on." The grounds or reasons for taking 

 a list of six flies seasonable for each fishable month, are based on 

 an extended study of the habits of both fish and prey. They are 

 incontestably logical, and sound practically, being found to succeed upon 

 the well-flogged streams of the midlands, and the clear, slowly flowing 

 waters of the south. The plan and principle cannot but extend with 

 rolling time to more remote, and, consequently, less whipped waters of 

 the north and west. In proof of the statement here advanced, it is only 

 needful to remind the reader of an acknowledged fact, endorsed readily 

 by the highest authorities on English trout and grayling fishing, viz. : 

 That the southern regimen is fully successful in the north, whilst the 

 infallible trio of hackles or spiders are found of no practical use what- 

 ever south of the border counties. 



In this progressive age results are consulted more and more. Theory 

 is more quickly discountenanced, whilst stern practical tests are eagerly 

 sought and acted upon, hence the advance of science, and the conse- 

 quent diminution of misleading fallacy and error. That the convenience 

 of being confined to a universal cast of flies is illusionary when 

 sophisticated fish are one's object, goes without saying. Equally rational 

 is the inference that if convenience is the one and only object to be 

 considered, it will at all times be far more readily attained under any 

 circumstances and conditions by reproductions of flies fed upon by the 

 fish, rather than by a something like nothing between earth and sky. 

 We instance the 



" When I say Foster's flies are good, I am speaking from personal experience." 

 Angling Ed. of Preston Guardian, April, 1885. 



In ordering, please quote List Nos. of articles required. 



