240 IBBAL FLIES. Till: FRANCIS. 



these flies have very clear wings, particularly the lighter 

 ones, and should be dressed buzz. Of spinners the angler 

 should have, of the red, two sizes ; the brown, two sizes. 

 As I have already said, next to these are the Phryganidse, 

 a small selection of which must not be neglected. Nor 

 should he be without the March brown and alder. 



With these flies in his book he need not fear to venture 

 on almost any stream ; of course there are times when 

 other flies, which are prime favourites when they come on, 

 will kill better. I shall presently give a short list of flies, 

 as they are requisite to a tolerably complete equipment. 



GENERAL FLIES. 



Of the general flies which are most useful to the angler, 

 and which he will find it very advisable to have a stock 

 of, there are, first, 



The Francis Fly. It may seem egotism in me to 

 place this fly first on the list ; but since its invention, 

 from the accounts I have had of its qualifications, from 

 all quarters of the globe where Salmonidse are found, 

 it certainly appears to have gained, as I hope, a well- 

 earned reputation. I first found it kill well on the Welsh 

 rivers, where I tested it severely against the far-famed 

 coch-y-bondu ; and in whatever position it was placed, 

 whether as stretcher or dropper, it killed above three fish 

 for one killed by the coch-y-bondu. I therefore brought 

 it into public notice, and it was greatly favoured ; but, 

 neglecting it for a season, I did not use it much ; by ac- 

 cident, however, I tried it subsequently in other quarters 

 with the greatest success, and since that time, wherever 

 I have gone, I have found it an unfailing resource when 

 many other favourites failed. It should be dressed, of 

 course, to suit the water ; small for light waters, and large 

 for heavy waters or for evening fishing. I have killed well 



