FLY FISHING 107 



thrown roughly, with a splash, the fish are fright- 

 ened away. 



The use of very large flies is a grievous mistake, 

 and experienced anglers discarded them long since. 

 A fly tied on a No. 4 or 5 hook will be found suffi- 

 ciently large even for salmon, and only occasionally 

 will a No. 2 or 3 be required. For small fish, No. 8 

 will be found small enough. Medium or small flies 

 will attract fish when large ones will not, and will 

 hook them more securely. A six-foot leader will 

 prove much more satisfactory and convenient than a 

 shorter or longer one. Loop leaders are preferable 

 to those tied with knots, as they allow flies to be 

 changed easier and much more quickly. 



Concerning the particular flies to be used it can 

 be said that, aside from several that are considered 

 standard and always good, it is as well to leave the 

 selection of any others to personal choice. In some 

 localities certain flies are considered absolutely neces- 

 sary, that elsewhere would prove to be useless. 

 Knowledge of such conditions must govern the selec- 

 tion also. In all parts of the country and for all 

 fish the following flies will be found to be standard 

 and favorites as well : Jock Scott, Silver Doctor, 

 Coachman, Professor, Queen of the Waters, Parma- 

 cheene Belle, Montreal, Reuben Wood, Ferguson, 

 and Brown Hackle. 



