68 FLIES AND FLY FISHING. 



preference. Wings, of any mixed and speckled feathers. 

 The size of the hook, according to the water. No. 6, is a 

 good average size. I have always found, however, that 

 imitations of some of the actual flies will kill as well as 

 these. The March brown, slightly ribbed with gold wire, 

 kills well in autumn. It may be tied on hooks from No. 

 2 to No. 6 ; and there is no better fly than the orange 

 palmer, whilst the February red, the great red spinner, 

 and the coachman will all kill in autumn. In very clear 

 low water the general flies No. 3, tied on No. 9 hook, are 

 good. When a very large fly is used to lead in heavy 

 water, it is best to have only one dropper ; but when 

 using flies not larger than No. 6, I always fish with four 

 flics, and in fine water two of them are the above general 

 flies dressed as follows : 



1st Hook No. 9 ; occasionally No. 8. Body, red- 

 dish brown silk, (not floss) wrapped about 

 three-quarters up the hook, and finish off 

 with three or four turns of bronze peacock's herl 

 tied fat. Tip, gold tinsel, and a speckled brown 

 hen's hackle. 



2nd Body, first either claret or dark orange silk, 

 finished off with herl, as above. Tip, silver 

 tinsel, and a glossy black hackle. 



