THE MARCH BROWNS. 85 



lengths of small single gut, carefully knotted, betwixt 

 the trail or stretcher and the hook immediately above 

 it, while three of the same material are sufficient to 

 divide the droppers. 



Always, in making up the fly-cast, attend to propor- 

 tion. As regards the gut, this advice is particularly 

 necessary, but it is not less so when applied to the 

 arrangement of the hooks. The heaviest wire ought, 

 invariably, to form the trail-fly ; that which is lighter 

 being disposed of, at due distance, as a bob or dropper. 

 Attention to this rule will greatly facilitate the manage- 

 ment of the line and tackle. 



Reverting to the matter in hand, namely the adapta- 

 tion of fly-hooks in point of size, to the seasons, state 

 of water, &c., I have to remark, that the use of large 

 hooks, during the early portion of spring, is, on many 

 rivers, absolutely expedient. Trout, in Scotland, seldom 

 rise freely before the middle of April; until, in fact, 

 the appearance of what are termed, not very appro- 

 priately, the March-browns. These insects, which, it 

 is well known, have their prior state of existence at 

 the bottom of the streams and pools, and assume the 

 winged condition only when acted on by a certain 

 warmth of temperature, create, on their appearance, 

 the earliest natural cravings in the fish for surface food. 

 Accordingly, before this event takes place, the trout 

 has no inducement to rise, except what is afforded it by 

 the angler in the shape of an artificial fly; nor is it 

 easily provoked from its retreat by a single imitation or 

 two, and that unseasonably small, of what at the 

 proper period, it is accustomed to have offered it in 

 amplest abundance. It is therefore in a manner 

 necessary, by way of bribe, to present a large-sized fly, 

 taking care, however, that no violence is done to nature 



