SPINNING AND BAIT-FISHING. 391 



1 have had some specimens of the creeper and stone-fly 

 sent me by the obliging assistance of Messrs. Redpath, of 

 Kelso, and the annexed sketch gives a diagram of the stone- 

 fly in different stages of development. Messrs. Redpath have 

 also made a special study of artificial imitations of this insect, 

 both in its winged and larval condition, and have forwarded me 

 samples, which I must say look exceedingly tempting and life- 

 like. 



Besides stone-fly fishing, the only really effective method of 

 using the natural fly for trout that I am acquainted with is by 

 means of the ' blow-line ; ' and the place to see blow-line fishing 

 is in the lakes of Westmeath. Indeed, this beautiful chain of 

 waters seems to be the natural habitat of the art. Each lake in 

 its turn, as the fly appeal s on it, becomes for a few days a centre 

 to the angling community, and many a boat which, as Pat says, is 

 only safe provided you do not ' cough or snaze,' is then dragged 

 from her moorings perhaps at the bottom of the lake and 

 pressed into service. The art of blow-line fishing, though in its 

 principle exceedingly simple, demands much nicety of execution 

 in practice, and, as indeed its name implies, it cannot be pursued 

 at all without the assistance of that most inconstant element, the 

 wind. Weather, however, proving propitious, the tackle is easily 

 adjusted. A skein of floss silk, prepared for the purpose, and 

 attached to the end of a light running line, is substituted, so far as 

 the actual casting is concerned, for the ' reel-line,' and to this, 

 instead of the ordinary fly-collar, is fastened a single small hook 

 whipped on a strand of fine gut. The hook is baited with a May- 

 fly, and as the boat drifts the wind carries out the floss silk, which 

 ought to be so managed by the aid of hand and rod that only the 

 hook and fly should actually touch the water. Near the edges of 

 the reeds will usually be found the greatest quantity of Ephenieridce^ 

 and, as a corollary, the greatest number of trout. 



The exact time for this fishing varies a little, as the spring has 

 been cold or genial ; and the several lakes vary also inter se, which 

 is a great convenience to the fisherman ; but from the middle to the 

 end of May is commonly about the time. The Westmeath lakes, 

 when the fly ' is up,' will well repay a visit, as the fish, which are 

 at this time in the highest condition, running from two to five 

 pounds, and sometimes nearly twice as much, take the natural fly 

 freely ; and if the angler puts Dr. Peard's charming little book. 



