70 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



FLY BOXES 



After using nearly every pattern of Fly Box I have come 

 to the conclusion that while it is necessary to have a fair- 

 sized wooden or cardboard case divided into compartments 

 and fitted with celluloid lids, in which to keep a general 

 stock of eyed flies, it is better for field work to have one or 

 two small sized japanned tin fly boxes, each containing 

 from twelve to fifteen compartments. These fly boxes are 

 light, and either one or both can be carried without the 

 slightest inconvenience in the creel or in the pockets of the 

 fisherman. Each compartment of these fly boxes should 

 have a celluloid lid, so that the flies may be always on view ; 

 such compartments should be numbered, and should contain 

 a carefully selected assortment of the flies which are likely 

 to be wanted. On the inside of the lid of the box should be 

 a list of the names of the flies carried, and numbered in 

 accordance with the numerals on the compartments of the 

 box itself. 



The advantages of this method of carrying the flies when 

 fishing are many the beginner will find it to be the 

 best and most expeditious way of acquiring a knowledge of 

 the names of the flying stages in the life of the water insects, 

 and of the imitations which he will have to use when fly 

 fishing. 



If, for instance, a novice hears that the Red Quill is being 

 taken on the water he is going to fish, he has only to consult 

 the lid of his fly box, and he will at once see which compart- 

 ment holds the Red Quill flies, and he will then find out 

 what they are like, and lesson number one is learnt. If, on 

 the other hand, he catches a fly on the water, upon which 

 the fish appear to be feeding, and compares it with the flies 

 in his fly box, he will soon find a similar flying insect, 

 whose name he will discover on the lid of his fly box, and 



