The Black Ant. 149 



is found on marshy ground near rivers, and may be 

 picked up in thousands off the rushes when the 

 day is hot and bright. From about the beginning 

 of August on to September, baskets of from 10 to 

 20 Ib. a-day frequently testify to its powers, and 

 in some instances as many as 30 Ib. in one day 

 have been scored. 



This fly is fished with either single or double 

 tackle. In the former case two insects are impaled 

 on a No. 6 hook, by inserting the point through the 

 shoulder of each. Place them closely together, with 

 their heads pointing in opposite directions, and 

 their backs next the gut. The bodies of the insects 

 will thus rest on the water in a natural position, 

 their wings will be kept as much as possible from 

 contact with it, and the fascination of the lure will 

 be maintained till the angler's purposes have been 

 served. In the double tackle two No. 3 hooks are 

 tied back to back, and a fly is fixed on each in the 

 same manner as in the single. With either tackle 

 the angler must use a very light rod, from 16 to 

 18 feet in length, with a short line of light gut. 



The ant is fished very much in the same way as 

 the green drake, either up or down stream, accord- 

 ing to the direction of the wind, and either in clear 

 water, or in dark water after a flood. Unlike the 

 green - drake fishing, however, which is always 



