Flies and Fly-fishing. 401 



The results obtained on the clear water were here re- 

 versed. All the lighter colored leaders were at a decided 

 disadvantage, the uncolored gut being the most visible, 

 while the black was least so, and this irrespective of the 

 time of day, and sun or shade. The dark olive and dark- 

 er neutral tint gave almost, but not quite, as good results, 

 and in the order named. No leader could be seen through 

 more than three and a half feet of water. The uncolored 

 gut was invariably the first to appear, closely followed 

 by both of the coffee-colored. 1 had supposed the latter 

 would prove excellent in brown water, but such was by 

 no means the case, since at all times and under all cir- 

 cumstances these were nearly as objectionable as the un- 

 colored, and far more so than the other light colors. The 

 pea-green was the next to appear. The ink-dyed leader 

 gave very fair results, but still inferior to darker shades. 

 The fact that the uncolored leader could always be seen 

 at more than double the distance at which the black first 

 began to be visible, illustrates the relative merits of the 

 two. 



Here also may probably be found the reason why large 

 and brighter colored flies are required in such waters. 

 Having completed my experiments with the browned 

 water, it was next rendered turbid by adding a little 

 milk. To imitate the condition of a stream on the subsi- 

 dence of a freshet, and when its water had begun to clear, 

 though still perceptibly roily, was the object in view. 

 This, as far as the eye could determine, was successfully 

 accomplished, yet no leader could be seen through more 

 than eight inches of the water, even at noonday and with 

 an unclouded sky. 



Nothing surprised me more than the difference in ob- 

 trusiveness shown by different specimens, so nearly alike 

 26 



