186 THE SCIENTIFIC AKGLER. 



but we would recommend the tyro to try his hand about 

 the middle of February, when he will be sure to effect 

 captures that will give him a relish to follow the pursuit, 

 and exhilarate him to become an adept in the " flying" 

 art. We note that the majority of youthful beginners 

 take their trial trip in July or August, flogging assid- 

 uously when the sun shines powerfully, and leaving dis- 

 pirited with their ill-success, just as the fish begin to 

 feed at sunset. The angler should be at the water-side 

 from eleven to three o'clock it is little use starting 

 earlier, as the fish do not rise freely except in the middle 

 of the day. Slow-running streams and still deeps are 

 the most likely places on which to cast. We recommend 

 the red fly, the blue dun, or February flapper, and the 

 ordinary rough bumble to make up the cast, as being the 

 most likely trio for early spring-fishing. The last named 

 is only a fancy fly, but is an excellent killer in spring and 

 autumn. To the experienced fly-fisher, it is a well known 

 fact that few flies rise to the surface of their liquid element 

 while the river is impregnated with snow (i broth." This 

 cold stimulant is no inducement for the little insect to 

 quit its sheath in the bed of the river, but when the 

 genial influence exercised by the rays of the sun pierces 

 into its retreat, then the small fly quits its abode, rises to 

 the surface, spreads its wings, and commences life's 

 voyage, which probably ere long is cut short by the ap- 

 pearance of the 



" Pearl tipped snout 

 Of the speckled trout." 



The Red fly first makes its appearance in this month. 

 Its wings and body are of an olive color, but after two or 

 three sunny days its legs and body assume a russet-brown, 

 and as the weather becomes warmer its color changes 

 until it attains a deep ruddy hue. The prevailing shade 

 in March and April of both legs and body resembles that 

 of a coffee bean, though slightly claret-colored towards 



