ON TROUTING WITH THE FLY 109 



ferent sort, coupled with sandwiches; there is a time 

 for all things, and at noon we must admit having a 

 preference for the latter method. It has, moreover, 

 this advantage, that you will be the more able to 

 fish properly when the trout begin to take again. 



We have as yet said nothing about the adaptation 

 of flies in point of size to the season of the year and 

 the state of the water, because this subject is so 

 intimately connected with the habits of the trout 

 during the different fly-fishing months, that it is 

 impossible to separate them, and we shall therefore 

 discuss them together ; but before commencing, we 

 may remark that a knowledge of the habits of the 

 trout is the most necessary of all information to the 

 angler. He may have the best tackle and the best 

 flies, and be skilled in the art of throwing them 

 lightly, but unless he knows where feeding trout are 

 to be found, he will never achieve great success. 



The two great causes which should regulate the 

 angler in selecting the size of fly to be used are the 

 colour and size of the water, and the wariness of the 

 trout ; the fly, in fact, must be large enough to ensure 

 its being seen, but not so large as to enable the trout 

 to detect its artificial character. When a river is 

 large and dark-coloured, flies may be used a size or 

 two larger than when it is clear ; as in such circum- 

 stances it requires larger flies in order to be seen, 

 and the thickness of the water prevents trout from 

 detecting their artificial nature, as they would if the 

 water was clear. In a dark windy day, a size or two 

 larger may be used than in a calm sunny one, as the 



