184 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



large to ensure its being seen, but not large enough 

 to allow the trout to detect its artificiality. To 

 accomplish this the angler who visits a number of 

 lochs must be provided with all sizes of flies from 

 No. 10 up to No. 3. 



The colour of the water and the amount of wind 

 are two of the principal causes which should regulate 

 the angler in selecting the size of fly. If the water is 

 dark coloured, a size or two larger should be used 

 than when it is clear. If there is a strong breeze of 

 wind blowing, a size or two larger may be used than 

 when there is little wind; and when there is no 

 wind at all, we have found an approach to river sizes, 

 say Nos. 9 and 10, most effective always remember- 

 ing to increase or diminish the size according as the 

 state of the water and wind prevents the fly being 

 easily seen or the reverse. 



We once had a signal proof of what difference the 

 wind will make, when fishing a loch from a boat, in 

 company with a friend. We commenced with small- 

 sized flies, and our friend with large ones. The 

 breeze was very gentle when we began, and while it 

 continued so we captured six trout for our friend's 

 one ; but after we had been fishing for some time, 

 it began to blow violently, when the tables were 

 turned, leaving us behind. After waiting long 

 enough to ascertain the point, we put on large flies, 

 which put us both on an equal footing. The depth of 

 water ako, to a certain extent, regulates the size of fly. 

 The trout in lochs usually lie near the bottom, and if 

 the water is deep it will require a larger size of fly to 



