The Compleat ^Angler 



bottom of bear's hair next to the roots, mixed with a little blue 

 camlet, the wings of a dark grey feather of a mallard. 



8. We have also this month a dark- brown, the dubbing of the 

 brown hair off the flank of a brended cow, and the wings of the grey 

 drake's feather. 



And note, that these several hackles, or palmer-flies, are some for 

 one water and one sky, and some for another ; and, according to 

 the change of those, we alter their size and colour ; and note also, 

 that both in this, and all other months of the year, when you do not 

 certainly know what fly is taken, or cannot see any fish to rise, you 

 are then to put on a small hackle, if the water be clear, or a bigger if 

 something dark, until you have taken one ; and then thrusting your 

 finger through his gills, to pull out his gorge, which being opened 

 with your knife, you will then discover what fly is taken, and may fit 

 yourself accordingly. 



For the making of a hackle, or palmer-fly, my father Walton has 

 already given you sufficient direction. 



MARCH. 



For this month you are to use all the same hackles and flies with 

 the other ; but you are to make them less. 



1. We have, besides, for this month, a little dun, called a whirling 

 dun (though it is not the whirling dun, indeed, which is one of the 

 best flies we have) ; and for this the dubbing must be of the bottom 

 fur of a squirrel's tail ; and the wing of the grey feather of a drake. 



2. Also a bright brown ; the dubbing either of the brown of a 

 spaniel, or that of a red cow's flank, with a grey wing. 



3. Also a whitish dun ; made of the roots of camel's hair ; and 

 the wings, of the grey feather of a mallard. 



4. There is also for this month a fly called the thorn-tree fly : the 

 dubbing an absolute black, mixed with eight or ten hairs of Isabella- 

 coloured mohair ; the body as little as can be made ; and the wings 

 of a bright mallard's feather. An admirable fly, and in great repute 

 amongst us for a killer. 



5. There is, besides this, another blue dun, the dubbing of which 

 it is made being thus to be got. Take a small-tooth comb, and with 



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