92 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 



PLATE IV. 



No. 1 represents a dark fly, with black body, 

 which appears very early in March, and some- 

 times even in February ; and as so few flies suit- 

 able for the purposes of the fly fisher are at that 

 time animated, it is to be used with great success 

 during the whole day. The body is made of dark 

 fur, to be obtained from a black water spaniel or 

 rabbit, with a very small proportion of claret- 

 coloured camlet, merely to give the mixture a 

 tinge, when held up to the light ; the wings from 

 the back of the fieldfare or hen blackbird ; and a 

 dusky black hackle for legs. 



No. 2. The Black Gnat does not appear until 

 nearly the end of April. The body is made with 

 a black strip from an ostrich feather, and must 

 be dressed thick, and rather short ; the wings of 

 a pale starling's feather ; or it is equally neat, if 

 dressed as a hackle, for which purpose a pale dun 

 is most suitable. 



Although this fly is generally highly praised 



