136 ROD AND RIVER 



lightest quill feather in a partridge's wing. The 

 size of hook should be, for general use when the 

 fly is on the water, No. i for the male, and No. 2 

 for the female anyhow, there should be the 

 difference of a size between the two. 



I consider the dressings given by Francis 

 superior to those given by Ronalds, whether used 

 wet or dry. 



THE BLUE DUN (EPHEMERA). 



The ' blue dun,' * blue upright ' as it is called 

 in Devonshire, is one of our best and most im- 

 portant flies, and is to be met with on nearly 

 every river, and at every season throughout the 

 year. Ronalds, Theakstone, and other good 

 authorities, identify this fly with the olive dun. 

 I am well aware that the latter varies very con- 

 siderably in colour, from dark purple to palest 

 olive, according as the weather is cold and dark, 

 or the reverse. 



Theakstone says that ' the " blue drake " ' (as he 

 terms this fly), ' which hatches in cold weather, 

 appears to cast off three protective skins. After 

 the first, she is of a lighter shade, and a smarter 

 fly ; second, she is orange ; and the third or last, 

 when in a state of nudity, or stripped to the (true) 

 skin, a lemon or straw colour.' 



There is a very great difference of opinion 

 regarding this fly, many people nowadays in- 



