HOTES OK THE MONTHS FOB FLY-FISHING. 187 



the tail. The Eed fly, we believe, is common to all 

 waters containing trout or grayling. The Welsh anglers 

 consider it one of the best flies that can be used, indeed, 

 it is sometimes called the " Welsh fly." In some districts 

 in this country its local appellation is " Old Jce," in 

 others the " Early Spring Eed," and the "Spring Brown," 

 and another local name is the "March Brown." The 

 Bed fly's wings lie nearly flat on its back, the wings of 

 the March Brown are almost upright, after the manner 

 of the duns and other ephemerals. Many a neatly folded 

 packet finds its way into our hands, containing naturals 

 for identification, and as the March Brown proper, like 

 the May fly, does not frequent all waters, this fly, acting 

 in a manner as a substitute, causes endless misconceptions; 

 and vast numbers of the Red fly come to hand which are 

 invariably mistaken for the March Brown. The Blue 

 Dun, or February Flapper, so-called because of its flutter- 

 ing on the water more than any other dun, is of a 

 smoky-blue hue all over, and when once seen can never 

 be mistaken. 



MAKCH. 



The angler should be at the water-side from eleven to 

 fonr o'clock. The fish not yet having recovered their 

 full vigor after the winter season, are to be found on the 

 slow running streams and still deeps. The Red fly, Blue 

 and Cockwinged Duns, Cowdung fly, and March Brown, 

 are the most abundant flies on the water, and therefore 

 are the best to be used. A description of the Red fly has 

 been .given under February. For particulars of the Blue 

 and Cockwinged Duns, see page 130. The Cowdung fly 

 is a common insect, the appearance of which is well known 

 to all. It is in boisterous weather plentiful on the water. 

 This is a land fly, and is found in profusion on rich 

 meadow land where cows have been pastured. These in- 

 sects rise from the earth with the first days of spring. 



