104 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 



covered by incalculable numbers of them. They 

 are extremely delicate, and not often visible on 

 cold days ; on which, however, success is more 

 probable with this fly, than when they are to be 

 found in such large quantities. They may be 

 used from morning until evening ; and the trout 

 are so passionately fond of them, that they gorge 

 themselves with this favourite food, retire to their 

 secret haunts, and disappoint the most skilful 

 endeavours of the angler. 



It is probably owing to the short duration of 

 these flies, that the fish are so greedy in devour- 

 ing them, as they are seldom to be found at the 

 expiration of about three weeks from their first 

 appearance. The wings are made of the feather 

 from the wing of the cuckoo's mate, the goat- 

 sucker, or in the absence of the preceding two, 

 from the woodcock ; the body of lead- coloured 

 silk, for the lower and middle parts, and a strip 

 of black ostrich harl for the thick part near the 

 shoulders, round which a small dark grizzled 

 hackle should be twisted twice, and the fly is 

 completed. 



