SIZE OF LOCH-FLIES. 199 



boat, in company with a friend. We commenced 

 with small-sized flies, and our friend with large 

 ones. The breeze was very gentle when we 

 began, and while it continued so, we captured six 

 trout for our friend's one ; but after we had been 

 fishing for some time, it began to blow violently, 

 when the tables were turned, leaving us behind. 

 After waiting long enough to ascertain the point, 

 we put on large flies, which put us both on an 

 equal footing. The depth of water also, to a 

 certain extent, regulates the size of fly. The 

 trout in lochs usually lie near the bottom, and if 

 the water is deep it will require a larger size of fly 

 to attract their attention ; but as it is usual for 

 the angler to fish in about the same depth of 

 water, there is no occasion for his troubling him- 

 self about this. 



The colour of the water and the amount of wind 

 should also, to some extent, regulate the colour of 

 the fly. In dark-coloured lochs, red and the more 

 gaudy colours will be found most enticing, while, 

 in a clear water, brown and the more sober 

 colours will be found best. Also, in a stormy day, 

 a gaudy coloured fly will answer best; but in a 

 calm one, always choose the less glaring colours, 

 and avoid tinsel. 



The only other cause which should influence 

 the angler in selecting the proper size and colour 

 of flies is the wariness of the trout. Where trout 

 are not at all shy, larger and more gaudy flies 



