224 ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT FISHERIES 



Black Gnat 



Hackle. From inside jack snipe's or young 

 starling's wing. 



Body. Black ostrich herl, or three twisted fibres 

 from feather of rook's tail. 



This fly is on the water about the same time as 

 the preceding one, but lasts somewhat longer. 

 On account of its small size it is difficult to imitate. 

 The best sized hook to use is a No. 2 Kendal sneck- 

 bend ; but before dressing the gnat, break a 

 small portion off the shank. It is always as well 

 to have some half-dozen casts when this and 

 the Willow Fly are on, dividing them into 

 two equal portions, having, as before stated, two 

 Willow Flies on the top and bottom of the 

 cast, with a Black Gnat in the middle, and 

 vice versa. 



Brown or Rose Beetle (Bracken-clock} 



This insect makes its appearance about the 

 middle of May and lasts well into June. Like the 

 May Fly it is always fished in its natural state, but 

 only one hook (No. 4) is required. For some un- 

 explained reason this insect has become almost 

 extinct on the Kent, where formerly it could be 

 seen in thousands. On this stream it is now little 

 or no good fishing it. 



Green Drake 



This fly appears on the water towards the end 

 of May and lasts some three or four weeks. 



It is invariably fished in its natural state, the 

 method of fishing being similar to that of the May 

 Fly. Like the Bracken-clock, the Green Drake 

 has almost disappeared from the Kent 



