IMITATION OF THE NATURAL INSECT 143 



the beginning from our fathers. With few ex- 

 ceptions, we have trudged along the beaten 

 path, looking rarely to right or left, but back- 

 ward a great deal, using the same flies our 

 fathers used before us, emulating their methods, 

 and admiring their successes. We have over- 

 looked the fact that we are contending with 

 conditions that have decreased the number of 

 native trout, and that would have taxed even 

 the great skill with which we have endowed 

 those of loving memory. I remember that one 

 of my father's favourite flies was the Queen-of- 

 the-Waters. Naturally it became one of mine, 

 and I used it religiously remembering its suc- 

 cesses, forgetting its failures. A story connected 

 with this fly may prove interesting, and perhaps 

 tend to show how close I was to becoming a 

 confirmed colourist, or, rather, a strong believer 

 in the trout's ability to detect colour. 



Many years ago, while preparing for a short 

 trip to the stream, I discovered that I did not 

 have a single Queen-of-the-Waters in my fly 

 book. On my way to the railroad station I 

 stopped in a tackle shop and asked for a dozen 

 of that pattern. The clerk was unable to find 

 any in stock, but suggested that I try a dozen 

 called King-of-the- Waters. Although there was, 



