THE COW-DUNG. 201 



tail of the same, and a few shreds of any olive fur may be 

 introduced amongst the hare's ear, and the wing may be 

 a shade lighter than that used for the male. If the fly be 

 on strongly, the angler will find his account in having 1 

 both male and female on his cast. This is also an indis- 

 pensable fly to the angler. As I have said, this fly changes 

 into the great red spinner. Some people have a high 

 opinion of the great red spinner. I have never done a 

 great deal of business with it, though it is, no doubt, a 

 good evening fly throughout the season, as, indeed, is any 

 other largish brown fly. It is a strong active fly, and not 

 easily driven on the water against its will ; and the trout, 

 therefore, have less opportunity of cultivating its acquaint- 

 ance than they have of its original, the March brown. I 

 do not consider it an indispensable fly ; but as some da 

 fancy it, it should be dressed of the same size as the March 

 brown, or a size larger, with a red squirrel's fur body, ribbed 

 with gold twist ; amber-red cock's hackle for legs ; twa 

 long strands of the same for the tail ; wing, the bright 

 glassy golden feather from the wing of a thrush. It is 

 a very elegant fly, if the fishes be discriminators of 

 beauty. 



The Cow-dung or Lion Fly. This is one of the most 

 useful of the land flies, particularly on windy days, such 

 as the angler may expect in March and April. Wherever 

 there be meads and cows, there the angler may be sure, 

 particularly in the spring, to find the cow-dung fly ; and a 

 large number may always be observed, thanks to the wind's 

 agency, upon the water, where, maugre their savoury 

 origin, they afford much delectation to the hungry trout. 

 Hook, No. 8 or 9 ; body, full and fat, of tawny orange 

 crewel, with a few sprigs of squirrel's fur worked into the 

 body, as it is a hairy fly ; legs, yellowish-red hackle say 

 from Cochin China cock some use a darker red ; wings, 

 dressed close and flat, of the landrail, one of the lighter 



