166 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



a favourite hobby, and informed me that "if there 

 were whitling,* he would show me some sport ere we 

 reached the river, for he kent of a flie that they could 

 na resist ava, but just loupet at it like mad." His 

 fly-hooks were again appealed to, but a perfect specimen 

 could not be found; some wanted wings, others bodies, 

 and in all the gut was in an imperfect state. What 

 was to be done ? As luck would have it, I fortunately 

 had the materials, and his debris afforded a good 

 pattern. On offering them for his use, he declined, 

 but requested me to become manufacturer. The fly was 

 simple, and easily tied ; and for the benefit of those 

 who may some day be similarly situated, I will here 

 describe it. Wings from the swan or white goose; 

 body scarlet mohair ; two or three strands of scarlet ibis 

 for the tail ; the body wrapped loosely and wide with 

 silver tinsel, with a scarlet hackle under the wings. 

 In half-an-hour I had tied six ; and taking a night-cap 

 in the shape of a strong glass of the genuine Islay in the 

 form of punch, turned in to dream of fish and fishing. 

 Jock roused us ah hour before daylight, and having 

 discussed an excellent cup of coffee, we got into the 

 stern sheets of one of the boats, with two of the 

 crew to pull us to our destination. After leaving 

 the side of the schooner, MacGregor determined to 

 * Scotticism for sea-trout. 



