FLOATING FLIES 79 



phenomenon was a large dun and, curiously enough, 

 there were in the box three specimens with snipe 

 wings, badger hackle, and light quill body which 

 were almost a faultless imitation. During the few 

 minutes the rise lasted we killed two fine trout. We 

 did not lay in a stock of these Gray Quills, as the 

 tackle-dealer called them, and we have not seen 

 again a hatch of these light duns, though ten years 

 have passed since that unusual experience of fishing 

 dry-fly during a flood. 



Having now given a list of upright-winged flies 

 quite sufficient for all but exceptional occasions on 

 all the Scottish rivers we have visited, we proceed 

 to the discussion of other orders, the members of 

 which, however, are so numerically strong that it is 

 possible to deal only with the most important. 



We consider the best of these is the Sand-fly of 

 Clyde, or, as it is better known in other districts, the 

 Gravel-bed, and there are good reasons for thus 

 conferring distinction upon it. 



Making its first appearance during hot weather 

 towards the middle of May, it is likely to be found on 

 the water for a period of three months whenever the 

 temperature is sufficiently high to tempt it forth, 

 for it is essentially a fine-weather insect, revelling 

 in warm breezes and brilliant sunshine. 



On hot, thundery days we have seen the gravel 

 absolutely covered with them, but again, under 

 conditions to all appearance identical, we have failed 

 to observe a single specimen, so that it is impossible 

 to predict when setting out for the river that the 

 Sand-fly will be in evidence. Nevertheless, the 

 angler must be prepared for its advent by having in 

 his possession a plentiful supply of good imitations, 



