THE FEBRUARY RED AND FCETID BROWN. 13! 



envelop it except underneath, thus forming a roof- 

 like ridge across the back. It is the earliest fly out in 

 the spring, and may be seen upon the first tolerably 

 open day in January, fluttering industriously as it is 

 carried down stream. These are in some districts 

 believed to be the March Brown, but there is, as has 

 been elsewhere stated, a marked distinction between 

 them. It is a very useful fly in the early months. 



After the February Red, the next in this order is 

 the Sand-fly, which is precisely similar as to size and 

 attitude, but of a pronounced sandy hue universally. 

 This fly usually makes its appearance in the latter 

 half of April, continuing more or less prevalent 

 during May, and again in the autumn. Like the 

 generality of four-winged flies, it is seldom on the 

 wing, and when so is a solitary- insect, but is a 

 favourite with the fish, even when sparsely present. 



The Fcetid Brown, or Cinnamon, follows the sand 

 fly. This is a much larger insect, being more than 

 two-thirds of an inch in length, from the tip of the 

 head to the tail. In general attitude it is precisely 

 similar to those previously described, but it is of a 

 darker and more ruddy brown than the sand fly ; it is 

 more plentiful in the autumn than at any other time 

 of the year. Its name has originated from the fact 

 of there being a faint odour of cinnamon emitted by 

 it when handled. It is invaluable for live fly-fishing, 

 but it is seldom " up " in sufficient strength on open 

 water, to make it equally valuable for casting. Being 

 excessively heavy in its flights, its motions and flutter- 

 ings are very awkward. In July and August it 



