LAKE-TROUT FLIES. 245 



LAKE-TROUT FLIES. 



These flies are legion, each lake and each professor on 

 that lake having his own varieties, which are not governed 

 by any rules but those of fancy ; and being imitations of 

 nothing in nature, the patterns are endless. I shall give 

 a few which I know to be general killers more particu- 

 larly in Scotland, though no doubt equally good all over 

 the kingdom. 



The most favourite wings are dark mallard and the 

 barred feather of the teal ; to these may be wedded almost 

 any body and legs, and they will kill more or less. 



The size very much depends on the depth of the water, 

 but from 5 or 6 to 8 or 9 hooks will be about the range, 

 though smaller are often used. 



1. Teal wing ; red cock's hackle, and red pig's wool body, with 

 gold thread. 



2. Teal wing ; black silk body, black cock's hackle from head to 

 tail, and silver thread. 



3. Either of the above may be dressed with mallard or woodcock 

 wing. 



4. Mallard wing ; claret mohair body ; claret hackle (a shade or 

 two lighter) ; gold thread. This may be varied slightly and advan- 

 tageously with a red or black cock's hackle. 



6. Mallard wing; tiery brown mohair body ; black hackle and gold 

 twist. 



If there be salmon about, the last four flies of sea-trout size will 

 often move them. 



6. Woodcock wing ; orange or yellow crewel body ; red hackle, 

 gold thread. Very good colours. 



7. Wing from jay's wing, of pale bluish tinge and darkish towards 

 the but ; body and hackle as in No. 1. 



8. Wing as in the last fly ; body, dark blue silk ; fine silver twist, 

 and black hackle. May be varied with green crewel body, and gold 

 twist. 



9. Wing as before ; body, hare's ear and water-rat fur mixed 

 hare's ear predominating, and picked out for legs. 



10. Body, olive mohair, with fine gold wire ribbing ; golden olive 



