260 THE COUNTRY CLERGYMAN. 



' any decided anatomical and structural distinc- 

 4 tions. There is something also very curious in 

 ' the difference an angler is compelled to observe 

 ' with regard to the salmon flies for neighbouring 

 ' waters, which I have reason to believe by no 

 ' means imaginary. The Helmsdale and Brora 

 ' rivers run parallel to the same coast, and I be- 

 ' lieve the simple substitution of silver twist round 

 ' the body of the fly for the former river, instead 

 4 of the gold for the latter, is of essential conse- 



* quence. I must add, however, that in the Brora 

 ' river, with which I am best acquainted, I would 

 ' undertake, on an average of the season, if not a 



* very wet one, to kill more salmon with common 

 ' hackle trout flies, than with the salmon fly, so 

 ' called, of any description. * 



* I do not know whether any interest attaches to 

 ' the fact, that quails visit this northern region. 



* Some were killed last year, and I cannot discover 

 ' that the oldest sportsman remembers any arriving 



I have lately had a sample of a fly sent me, which an excel- 

 lent practical angler warrants, from experience, to kill salmon in 

 any of the rivers of the west of Scotland. The following is a 

 description of it. Body formed of crimson silk, ribbed with gold 

 twist, hackle of Argus Pheasant's spotted feather, and the Jay's 

 blue feather, and winged and tailed with the yellow feather of the 

 Golden Pheasant. There is also a fly used with great success in 

 taking salmon in the Tweed, called the " Lady of the Lake." Body 

 of mohair, claret-coloured at top, centre black, yellow tail, and 

 the underfeather of the snipe's wing, with one side of the harl 

 stripped off, excepting the tip. ED. 



