224 DRY-FLY FISHING 



necessitating constant interruption to clean the 

 hook, a great strain on the temper. 



Fortunately a flood usually occurs in August, 

 and, if it conies as expected, all is well. It cleans 

 out the river-bed, making all sweet and pure again ; 

 the weed is torn from its moorings and hurled 

 seawards. We are somewhat sorry for the worm- 

 fisher who never goes in pursuit of the trout except 

 when the flood is rising or is at the height of its 

 ugly yellowness ; the floating rubbish covers up 

 his bait most effectively, so that he is forced to 

 delay his slaughter until the next spate calls him 

 out again. When the waters begin to subside 

 there is sport to be had which makes us forget 

 the weary times that have gone before. The 

 trout, welcoming the refreshing full water, repair 

 again to haunts long denied them, and feed boldly 

 as one could desire. 



Under the new conditions prevailing, cool water 

 and warm atmosphere, a plentiful hatch of duns 

 by day and of sedges in the evening is almost a 

 certainty, and the welcome sight of free-rising 

 trout is seen again. To take full advantage of 

 the opportunities, the floating fly must be used, 

 and of these the best all-round pattern is the Green- 

 well Quill. We have even seen in August a hatch 

 of the autumn brood of Iron-Blues, and that is 

 a signal for a good rise and many captures. The 

 dark Olive Dun and the Rough Olive are also 

 fine patterns to use, and the Black Midge is deadly 

 among the August grayling. That fish is not yet 

 quite ready for the angler, but its capture adds 

 a little variety to the day's sport. It often mis- 

 takes its aim, but, unlike the trout, it will rise 



