198 FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 



both as regards size and colour, to those upon low- 

 lying rivers. 



Fancy flies, when used judiciously at the right time, 

 may answer just as well for trout, and especially for 

 grayling, as they do for salmon ; indeed the two last- 

 named have many characteristics in common ; both 

 display an effeminate appreciation of gaudy glitter 

 and happy combination of colours, whilst the more 

 circumspect and subtle trout often ignores the un- 

 natural " artificials," though presented temptingly. 

 The most important of nondescript " artificials " 

 are, beyond doubt, the bumble tribes. These in their 

 various shades seldom fail to kill, when no rising of 

 naturals has occurred during the day, or when there is 

 a miscellaneous host of " oddlings " about the water, 

 under which latter circumstances the palmered " arti- 

 ficials " are undoubtedly taken for some one of the 

 flies about. Another useful " child of fancy " is the 

 flat gold-bodied whistler fly. This is hackled with 

 red-brown pigeon's breast feather, or with that of the 

 whistling plover, from which it takes its name. This 

 fly is really valuable for discoloured, and even thick 

 rising water. Many are the times we have, instead of 

 having a futile journey, and leaving the rapidly-rising 

 river in disgust, as have companion rodsters, killed a 

 good dish of fish through its sole agency. Upon the 

 Wharfe we, upon a late occasion, took trout sufficient 

 to fill our creel some five times, had they been all 

 retained, whilst several anglers who had repaired to 

 the same length returned to the hotel, under the im- 

 pression that the water was too thick for the worm. 



