THE STONE FLV. 217 



runs on into May, and a very pretty, useful little insect 

 it is. It may be seen sailing up and down in small flocks 

 of a dozen or two, as the days get milder and the spring 

 grows genial, steadied in its flight by its long tail, which 

 is very long for the size of the insect. The hook should 

 be No. 10 or 11 ; the body composed of a strip of the 

 quill from a starling's feather neatly rolled on ; legs, dark 

 blue dun cock's hackle, some prefer red hackle ; wing, 

 bright starling's wing. Pull the tail off and the fly will 

 pass muster fairly for many other small flies, which it 

 somewhat resembles, throughout the season. 



The flies which I consider indispensable for April, in 

 conjunction with those of March, are the yellow dun, 

 brown spinner, iron-blue (two shades); the black and 

 quill gnats; the sand fly or the sedge, the latter pre- 

 ferred; and, where they are abundant, the gravel bed 

 and grannom cannot be omitted. 



MAY. The Stone Fly (see Plate VII. fig. 11, p. 185) is 

 now out in considerable numbers where it is found. A few 

 may be seen towards the end of April, but early in May 

 is the most favoured period for its full appearance. It is 

 used naturally by daping or dibbing principally, but on 

 windy days the artificial fly will often be found useful. 

 This fly runs upon the water as easily and nimbly as on 

 the land, and with its double wings up may often be seen 

 half fluttering, half running, making its way at a rapid 

 pace across the stream, seldom remaining quiescent as do 

 so many other flies when sitting on the water's surface ; 

 essaying a flight, for which its heavy body is not very 

 favourable, down it plumps on the water, and away it 

 scuttles at a great pace to the nearest bank. The angler 

 may therefore freely work his imitation, the liveliness he 

 thus imparts to it being perfectly natural and just. 



On some rivers it is called the May fly, but the green 

 drake has a prior claim to the title, though possibly not 



