230 NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 



when all is over on the bottom lake they commence 

 upon the next in elevation, where they also last about 

 the same period. Then the angler must travel a little 

 higher, to number three lake, and here the May fly 

 will just be found coming out, and the fishing is quite 

 as good as on the lower waters. The fish run large 

 in these lakes, not infrequently a four or six pound 

 trout is taken in the day, and sometimes much larger 

 fish are killed. Throughout Ireland the May fly 

 comes out in abundance on many lakes. In Scotland, 

 on the other hand, there is very little Drake fishing. 

 Upon a few odd lochs, the Awe, Lomond, and others, 

 a few of these flies make their appearance, but sport 

 is not good. Upon the other hand the May flies are 

 extremely abundant upon almost every stream that 

 produces trout, no matter in what latitude or clime ; 

 and with regard to the exception referred to, the 

 Stone fly forms an admirable substitute, being equally 

 abundant at the precise time the Drakes should 

 appear. The fishy feast of St. May fly is annually 

 looked forward to by the major portion of fishermen 

 as the "good time coming." Many an old timid fish 

 that at other times only ventures abroad by night, 

 or at twilight, now boldly makes its appearance at 

 mid -day ; and a long, thin, underfed fish, with dispro- 

 portionate head, will in a few days become vigorously 

 healthful and plump, and of nearly double the strength 

 it possessed previous to feeding on the Green Drake. 



We have had the pleasure of wetting our line upon 

 all trout streams of note in the three kingdoms, but 

 nowhere have we had such sport with this fly as on 



