162 THE MAYFLY IN HAMPSHIRE. 



THE MAYFLY IN HAMPSHIRE. 



THE FIRST HALF OF JUNE. 



It seems a day 



(I speak of one from many singled out) 

 One of those heavenly days which cannot die. 



WORDSWORTH. 



The lovely toy so fiercely sought 

 Hath lost its charm by being caught. 



BYRON. 



IF one were to eliminate the charm of the 

 weather during early June, when the 

 pleasure of the lengthening days still 

 asserts itself, and prolongs the evening until 

 nearly nine o'clock, I must own that I should 

 not care so much for mayfly fishing. 



The season however, when it is kind, brings 

 such good sport, and affords so perfect an out- 

 door holiday, that no one need wonder at the 

 worship of the mayfly : particularly by men who 

 have not taken up dry fly fishing young enough 

 to love its very difficulties, or who honestly 

 say they prefer a heavy creel after three hours 

 fishing to an eight hour day spent by the river. 

 What surprises one at the first introduction 

 to mayfly tackle is the comparative strength of 

 the cast and size of the fly. There is no 



