(CHAPTER VI 



FLIES THAT TROUT LIKE 



THE true theory of the artificial fly is that the 

 fly should imitate as closely as possible the 

 natural insect life of that particular stream 

 the angler may be whipping at the particular time he is 

 fishing that stream. It follows that the fly-fisher 

 should observe as carefully as may be such natural flies 

 as are to be found about and over the water and, in 

 the choice of his cast, see that the artificials bear the 

 closest attainable resemblance to the natural insect life 

 observed. Some anglers, not many, who are able to 

 tie their own flies skilfully, make a practice of first 

 noting carefully the insects upon the stream and then, 

 at the stream-side, dress the imitation before beginning 

 to fish. Naturally, at times, those who follow this 

 plan get a good many trout, far more than the angler 

 who simply depends upon his stock of tailor-made flies. 

 But the American angler who follows the above plan 

 is a very rare bird, however numerous they may be in 

 Merry England. 



As a matter of fact it is only in very much over- 

 fished streams that exact imitation of nature assumes 

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