BEST COLOURS FOR FLIES. 8 1 



it and the fly it is intended to imitate, but because, 

 if the size and colour are suitable, it will just kill 

 as well as any other. And we believe the angler 

 who has a different fly for every day in the season 

 will kill nearly as many trout as the angler who 

 adheres to three or four varieties the whole season 

 through; but he is proceeding upon an erroneous 

 principle, and losing both labour and time. 



That trout sometimes take more readily flies of 

 one colour than another is certain, and the reason 

 of their doing so affords room for a great deal of 

 ingenious speculation, but it is exceedingly difficult 

 to ascertain satisfactorily. We think that to some 

 extent a certain colour is more deadly, because it 

 is more readily seen. In clear waters we have 

 rarely found a black fly surpassed by any other, 

 and in such circumstances a black fly is very easily 

 seen. In dark waters a yellow-bodied fly, or one 

 of dingy white colour, takes readily, being easily 

 seen. And on Tweedside, in the month of July, 

 just after sunset, a bright yellow fly is held in 

 great repute, and such is more likely to attract 

 attention than any other. Mere caprice, how- 

 ever, and love of variety, may be the main 

 reasons why the trout prefer one colour to an- 

 other. 



A rule to be guided by on this point is of little 

 use, as the angler can always regulate the colour 

 of his flies by practice ; and in practice it has been 

 proved beyond doubt, that a black, brown, red, 



