126 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



fly-box, until he has finally determined on the correct fly 

 to use. 



One of the difficulties which the beginner will experience 

 is to determine the size of the flies he wants when ordering 

 them from the makers. The new numbering of flies which 

 commences from ooo, oo, o, i, 2, 3, 4, etc., are those commonly 

 used. In order to facilitate matters, I have engraved these 

 exact sizes in facsimile on the side of the fly fishing knife 

 previously mentioned. When, therefore, a fly is caught 

 by the brookside, if it be placed exactly over one of the 

 engraved hooks, the student will see at once the size 

 of the fly he has to order. By wiring the number and 

 name of the fly to the maker who supplies him, thus : 



" Send me by first post one dozen Red Quill size o " 



he will be able to get them by first post. 



THE CAP AS A FLY-HOLDER 



A good place to keep the fly which you have just taken 

 off your line is undoubtedly the cap. In this position the 

 flies dry quickly, are secure, out of danger, and always very 

 handy. The flies placed in the cap during the day can be 

 sorted and replaced in your fly-book or fly-box when you 

 get home. The only drawback to this plan is that in wet 

 weather the hooks, if allowed to remain in the cap as they 

 dry, are likely to rust. Flies in the cap are also apt to 

 excite attention, and hints from friendly strangers that 

 ' Your hat, sir, is covered with feathers," etc., have been 

 frequent. When I was coming home from fishing one 

 day on the top of a tramcar, a fond mother kept her children 

 quiet for some time by an entomological discussion as to the 

 nature of the " tame " flies grouped on my fishing-cap, and 

 a droll remark was made by a newspaper boy, who, when 

 offering me an evening paper, said " Hexcuse me, Sir, but 

 your 'at is hall hover hinsecks ! " 





