METHOD OF USING THE MAY-FLY. 169 



take another fly, and, entering the large hook a 

 little above the middle, bring it out a little below. 

 If two flies do not cover the hooks properly, the 

 angler should put on three. They are very tender 

 and must be used with great delicacy, as the least 

 jerk in casting will break them ; and if the angler 

 strikes, he will require to bait anew, as the mere 

 drawing through the water mutilates them. 



The flies float upon the surface of the water, so 

 that they cannot be used exactly like a bait, but 

 are used in a similar manner. Casting them up 

 from him, the angler should allow them to come 

 down a short distance, and then cast again farther 

 up. If the flies are coming down with their wings 

 out of the water, the trout make a fair rise at 

 them, but, what is rather singular, and quite un- 

 accountable, rarely take a proper hold. It is better 

 to have the flies thoroughly soaked and under the 

 surface, when the trout take them in a much more 

 deadly manner ; and the first indication the angler 

 sometimes receives is a stoppage of the line, when 

 he should slacken for a moment or two ; then 

 strike down stream, and be very careful in land- 

 ing, as the fish thus taken are always large and 

 strong. 



If the water is clear, the angler should fish in 

 the same places as with the creeper, with this 

 difference, that he will meet with success in the 

 streamy portions of pools, casting up stream to 



