84 TROUTING FLIES. 



On quitting this subject, namely the form of hooks 

 most serviceable to the fly-fisher,, I have only to add, 

 that the Kirby sneck-bend, and other numerous innova- 

 tions upon the two established shapes above recom- 

 mended may be held as faulty. They possess, at any 

 rate, no certain advantage over them, and in point of 

 temper are generally inferior. 



I am now brought to treat of the adaptation of the 

 different sizes of hooks to the season of the year, state 

 of the water, and humour of the fish. Upon this sub- 

 ject, a very great deal might be said: indeed, to handle 

 it with effect, and at the same time bring it within the 

 desirable compass, is altogether impracticable. It 

 would be otherwise, were I to confine my observations 

 to a single stream or locality, but in extending them to 

 the whole range of lochs and rivers in Scotland, they 

 must necessarily prove defective, frequently misplaced, 

 and if not really inaccurate, liable at least to be thought 

 so. I shall therefore avoid running into this error, by 

 venturing merely a few general remarks on the subject. 



Fly-hooks used early in spring ought to be of full 

 size and body on all our main or first-class waters and 

 many of their branches, especially those which contain 

 large trout, and are accessible to marine fish. On 

 rivers, like the Tweed or Tay, I recommend the use of 

 a whitling hook, as the trail-fly or stretcher, during 

 March and April. This may be exchanged for one of 

 smaller size and duller colours, during mild weather, 

 and when the waters run low and clear. On a casting 

 line made up with three flies, use generally the red 

 hackle at the extremity, attaching the others as bobs 

 or droppers. The distance betwixt each ought to vary 

 with the length of the rod and the width and condition 

 of the stream. On an average, there ought to be four 



