156 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



take them. They are a much more deadly bait in 

 the middle of May than in the middle of April, and 

 when they are changing into flies we have found it 

 quite immaterial whether we used the creeper or 

 the fly. 



The May-fly is even a more deadly bait than 

 the creeper, but unfortunately the period of its 

 duration is shorter. If the flies can be got of 

 sufficient size, they may be baited in the same 

 manner as the creeper, if intended to be used 

 among small trout when the streams are clear; 

 but in any other circumstances two should be used ; 

 and they should be baited in the following manner, 

 substituting for the lower hook of the creeper 

 tackle a larger hook, say a No. 5 or 6 : Take a 

 good-sized fly, and, entering the large hook about 

 the middle, run it along the body, and bring it 

 out at the tail ; then run the fly up the shank of 

 the large hook, and insert the small hook through 

 its shoulders, which will keep it in position; next 

 take another fly, and, entering the large hook a 

 little above the middle, bring it out a little below. 

 If two flies do not cover the hooks properly, the 

 angler should put on three. They are very tender, 

 and must be used with great delicacy, as the least 

 jerk in casting will break them ; and if the angler 

 strikes, he will require to bait anew, as the mere 

 drawing through the water mutilates them. 



The flies float upon the surface of the water, so 

 that they cannot be used exactly like a bait, but are 

 used in a similar manner. Casting them up from 



