THE WICKHAM, COACHMAW, AND HOFLAND. i>41 



with it dressed on a No. 11 or 12 hook, and equally well 

 <(where it was suitable) on a 7, 8, or 9. The body is com- 

 posed of copper-coloured peacock's her], ribbed distinctly 

 with copper-red silk ; hackle, medium blue dun ; wings, 

 two hackle-points of a grizzly blue dun cock's hackle (not 

 a hen's), set well up. It is an excellent evening and night 

 fly dressed on a No. 7 or 8 hook, owing to the lively and 

 attractive play of the hackle-point wings. Dressed large 

 it kills sea trout well, and it has even slaughtered many 

 a lordly salmon; while I have seen large numbers of it, 

 dressed like some hugh moth, sent out to India to kill 

 mahseer amongst the Himalayas. 



An acquaintance once told me of a prodigious take of 

 very big fish which he made on the Kennet with it dressed 

 large. 



Tlie Wickham's Fancy. This fly enjoys a wide repu- 

 tation, and deservedly. It is a capital fly, and hails from 

 Winchester. Body gold tinsel, a red hackle from head to 

 tail. Two strands of same for tail, and light or dark star- 

 ling wing for variety ; hook from 8 to 11. 



Th?> Coachman. This is one of the best evening and 

 night flies, particularly in the midland and southern rivers, 

 that I know of ; and even in the daytime it kills well on 

 some streams. Hook, No. 9, 10 or 11 ; body, peacock herl ; 

 legs, red cock's hackle ; wings, any small white feather, 

 or slip of the same. I suppose that the contrast of the 

 dark body and white wings renders it easily perceived by 

 the fish, hence its attractiveness from May till the end of 

 the season. 



The HoflancFs Fancy. This is another very useful fly, 

 and should be dressed of two sizes, Nos. 10 and 12. Body, 

 dark brown-red silk ; wings, hen pheasant or woodcock's 

 wing; legs, red cock's hackle; tail, two strands of the 

 same. It is very useful on fine waters, having a partial 

 resemblance to several small flies. 



