u6 Fly-fishing for Mahseer. CHAP. vn. 



generally supposed to differ in size with the size of the water, the finer 

 flies being used in the finer water, the larger in the heavier water and 

 larger rivers. The same ideas are carried into Mahseer-fishing by 

 salmon fishers. Accordingly I have seen Mahseer flies of all sizes 

 from No. 3 Limerick to No. 10/0 Limerick, the latter being nearly as 

 big as a swallow. Indeed, I have heard of an angler who, having tried 

 his fly in vain, had given it up, and, taking up his gun by way of 

 diversion, shot a swallow, which fell into the water. To his astonish- 

 ment there was a big swirl and the swallow disappeared. Of course 

 he shot another swallow, baited and fished with it immediately. It, 

 too, was taken down, and he landed a Mahseer. What the weight 

 was I do not know. On the other hand, I know an excellent fisher- 

 man who uses always a No. 3 Limerick hook. My own fancy is to 

 have three sizes, No. i/o, 2 and 3, of which I more generally use 

 No. 2. 



I am quoting sizes from my own scale annexed, and I would beg 

 the reader's special attention thereto in order to save him from dis- 

 appointment. In my first edition I quoted from the scale given in 

 Francis Francis' " Book on Angling," overlooking the caution which 

 he gives, and which I may as well quote : 



" Hooks are varied so much in size, not only by different makers, but 

 even by the same makers, and the numbering and lettering becomes so 

 troublesome and complicated, that I have given a scale of Limerick hooks 

 of sizes numbered for reference, as the easiest and simplest mode of 

 expression." 



The value of this caution I learnt to my cost in this wise. Having 

 planned a fishing trip with certain friends, I wrote to England for flies 

 for us all, quoting Francis Francis' numbers, but not saying that I 

 quoted from him. In consequence out came the flies beautifully tied, 

 just as ordered, but all on hooks of sizes that were useless. Francis 

 Francis' Nos. n and 12, which I was ordering for Carnatic Carp, would 

 .have been Nos. 5 and 6 on my then scale, whereas Nos. u and 12 

 on my scale were perfectly useless, and that was the scale that came. 

 What was to be done ? There was no time to write again, and we 

 were all too busy men to. tie flies for ourselves. We had not the time. 

 What was to be done ? My friends had relied on me, and .... well, 

 it was very vexatious. I had to look about for a likely native, and a 

 friend and I taught him, and so we got our flies just in time after all. 



