114 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 



2. White India rubber properly shaped, and 

 introduced on to the shank, through a hole pre- 

 viously pierced in it, with a needle sufficiently 

 large to admit the shank and gut, when whipped 

 together, to pass through. This has a very 

 natural appearance, if delicately coated with copal 

 varnish. The wings and legs are put on after- 

 wards. 



No. 28. The Blue Blow is one of the smallest 

 flies worthy the angler's notice ; nevertheless it 

 must claim his particular attention, as, when the 

 water is low, it is an excellent killer, and when 

 these insects appear in large quantities the trout 

 are extremely active in devouring them. It is 

 hardly possible to dress this fly upon too small a 

 hook : the body should be made of any very dark 

 blue fur, or of a peewit's topping, as its appear- 

 ance on the water exactly resembles a lump of 

 soot ; the wings may be made of thistle down, or 

 a bluish white hackle. It is a summer fly, but is 

 most abundant during the first fortnight in 



