TROUT-FLIES. 6 1 



Stewart, whose excellent chapter on the subject 

 should be studied by all Border anglers, considers 

 that the fly is even more deadly than the creeper. 

 He advocates the use of two flies as the bait. Ex- 

 cept, however, on very large rivers like the Tweed, 

 I confess I think the large one is to be preferred, 

 both because it is more easily put on and kept on 

 the hooks, and because it presents a more natural 

 appearance in the water. The fly is nearly the 

 same length as the creeper, and the tackle used for 

 one should be used for the other. In fact, when 

 the creepers are changing the angler will often find 

 it convenient to fish indiscriminately with either 

 the one or the other. Trout take the stone-fly 

 best under water, and close to the edges of tJic 

 stream or pool, even under hollow banks, if the fly 

 can be got there. This point is laid much stress 

 on by Border anglers, and with good reason, inas- 

 much as the natural spots to find the fly are close 

 to the banks, from which they are washed ; and it 

 is here consequently that the Trout come to look 

 for them. A dark full water is more favourable 

 for the effective use of the stone-fly than one 

 that is low and clear ; but in both states good 

 baskets may be made with it. The flies should 

 be collected in a box the night or early morn- 



