The Green Drake. 145 



feet in length. The line, which must be upon a 

 reel, is composed of 30 or 40 yards of fine silk 

 or cotton thread (the latter three-ply, and slightly 

 twisted). To this is attached a gut cast of 10 or 

 12 feet, carrying two No. 5 hooks. The hooks are 

 tied back to back, with their points turned some- 

 what towards each other, and a live fly is impaled 

 on each. Insert the hook in the fly at one shoul- 

 der near the root of the wing, and bring it out at 

 the other. Be careful that the fingers are dry when 

 baiting the insect : the wings are extremely tender, 

 and are speedily destroyed by water. 



In fishing with this fly, it is essential to have 

 the wind in your favour, whether it blows up, down, 

 or across stream. From the fact that the wind 

 is the main agent in floating the flies, this style 

 of fishing is usually termed " blow-line " fishing. 

 Choose, then, the bank where the wind is most 

 likely to second your efforts and make success pos- 

 sible, and, holding the rod nearly erect, with a 

 moderate length of line out, allow the wind to take 

 it well over the river. When it has been wafted 

 over the spot where you intend to make the descent, 

 gently lower the point of the rod until the flies 

 alight daintily upon the surface of the water, and 

 then, by a skilful management of the rod and the 

 favour of the breeze, you will succeed in keeping 

 them there, flitting along with every appearance of 

 K 



