174 ROD AND RIVER 



FEMALE FLY. 



Wings : From a hen pheasant's wing or from a 

 light feather from the wing of a partridge. 



Body and hackle : As above, perhaps a shade 

 lighter. 



Tag : A small piece of pale pea-green floss silk. 



THE NEEDLE BROWN. 



This is sometimes called the * Spanish needle.' 

 It derives its name from its attenuated body, 

 which is a mere strip of dark brown. When 

 flying, it presents a very imposing appearance ; 

 but when it settles, and its wings are folded, it 

 becomes a very difficult matter to see it at all. 

 It is a very valuable fly to the fisherman, especially 

 for grayling. Strange to say, it is by no means 

 in as general use as it ought to be. I know no 

 fly which is more worthy of a place in the angler's 

 collection ; but it is a very difficult fly to imitate, 

 or rather to procure a good imitation of. One 

 author only gives the proper dressing at least, 

 what I consider a good one and that is Francis 

 Francis. Dressed as he prescribes, it is one of 

 our very best flies. His recipe is as follows : 



Body : A fine shred from the yellowish quill of a 



thrush's wing. 

 Legs : A grizzled blue dun cock's hackle. 



