The Green Drake. 147 



consequently less likely to excite the suspicions 

 of the ever-wary trout. 



When the natural insect is not to be found 

 during its season, I use the artificial, which may 

 be fished either by dibbing, or by casting as any 

 ordinary imitation. If the fly is to be cast, I 

 use the form already given in the list of artificial 

 lures. Two, and occasionally three, such flies are 

 placed upon the line one yard apart. The casts 

 may be made either up or down stream, according 

 to the condition of the water and the direction of 

 the wind. The artificial fly will be always most 

 successful in a full, black water, or on a rough, 

 stormy day. Even in these circumstances, how- 

 ever, it never equals the natural insect as a lure ; 

 while in a " small " clear water the trout have 

 little difficulty in detecting the deception. 



If the artificial fly is required for dibbing, I make 

 one thus : A piece of very thin cork, wrapped once 

 round, and ribbed with brown silk, forms the body. 

 Dress each wing with the tip of a feather from 

 the breast of a wild drake, dyed greenish-yellow. 

 Take another feather from the breast, dye it yellow, 

 strip off" one side, raise the fibre on the other with 

 the finger, and pare with scissors to the length 

 required for the hackle. Two or three turns below 

 the wings will be sufficient. Dress on two hooks ; 

 a No. 4 at the tail, and, rather more than half an 



