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CHAPTER XIV. 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR 

 FLY-FISHING. 



FEBRUARY. 



THE angler, as a rule, commences to angle for 

 trout and grayling upon St. David's Day, the 

 first of March, when, according to the calendar, 

 " fly-fishing begins ; " but we would recommend the 

 tyro to try his hand about the middle of February, 

 when he will be sure to effect captures that will give 

 him a relish to follow the pursuit, and exhilarate him 

 to become an adept in the " flying " art. We note 

 that the majority of youthful beginners take their 

 trial trip in July or August, flogging assiduously when 

 the sun shines powerfully, and leaving dispirited 

 with their ill-success, just as the fish begin to feed at 

 sunset. The angler should be at the water-side from 

 eleven to three o'clock it is little use starting earlier, 

 as the fish do not rise freely except in the middle of 

 the day. Slow-running streams and still deeps are 

 the most likely places on which to cast. We 

 recommend the red fly, the blue dun, or February 

 flapper, and the ordinary rough bumble to make 

 up the cast, as being the most likely trio for early 



