IMITATION OF THE NATURAL INSECT 155 



artificial in four whisks so as to increase its 

 buoyancy, even though the setae of the natural 

 number but two in most cases never more than 

 three. The use of these parts in slightly exagger- 

 ated form does not denote a contempt for the 

 keenness of the fish's vision on the part of the 

 angler employing them. Rather, they are a 

 necessary evil, and, after all, show a divergence 

 in form in no way so marked as that occasioned 

 by the hook. 



If approximately exact imitation of form of 

 the dun or subimago of the Ephemeridce is at- 

 tempted, the wings of the artificial should be 

 tied so as to stand close together and directly 

 upright over the body. But a deviation from 

 this form to the extent of having the wings 

 separated will enable the angler to present the 

 fly cocked more frequently, to drop it lightly, 

 and will work but little harm. 



In my own fishing I am willing to risk any 

 defeat which a slight variance in colour may in- 

 vite, if the fly will float erect and in the place I 

 wish it to. While delicacy in handling the line 

 will place the fly upright more often than not, 

 "cocking" the fly is unfortunately not under di- 

 rect control of the angler. "Cocking" is a very 

 important part of the imitation of the natural 



