FLY-FISHING. 159 



to all frequenters of a trout-stream, and especially 

 those who may try it for the first time, to consult 

 some resident angler of the neighbourhood respect- 

 ing the best flies to be used, and to use such as he 

 may recommend. 



As a general rule, however, for the Test, and for 

 most of our British trout streams, I should say that 

 four flies only are necessary, and that if trout can- 

 not be taken with them, it is useless to try others. 

 I am aware that many of my brother anglers, and 

 especially those who have some degree of pride in ex- 

 hibiting the beauty and variety of their flies, will scout 

 my opinion as erroneous. They will quote ' honest 

 Izaac Walton's friend Cotton,' old Tom Barker, the 

 author of ' Salmonia," and many others, as having 

 both by their precept and example thought and 

 acted otherwise. Notwithstanding such formidable 

 authorities, I must honestly state what I think on 

 this subject, and I therefore recommend the young 

 angler to provide himself only with large flies of 

 a dark and light colour for his morning and even- 

 ing fishing when there is a good curl on the water 

 or a strong stream, and small flies of the same 

 colours when the water is calm and still. If trout 

 are at all inclined to rise, they will generally take 

 these at any time. If on the contrary they decline 

 doing so, no variety of fly will succeed with them. 

 Some days are propitious, and others are not so. It is 

 the state of the atmosphere, the passage of clouds, a 



