198 THE SCIENTIFIC AtfGLEK. 



clouds, they being the forerunners of this celebra- 

 ted fly. 



JUNE. 



As this month opens, the nymphaB of the Drake, as a 

 general rule, arrive at a sufficient state of maturity to 

 essay a change of element. They become active prior to 

 the impending change, and by their movements in the 

 bed of the water attract the attention of the trout, which 

 feed upon them for some week or ten days before the 

 great and continued rising. Just as the aquatic insect 

 begins to change into aerial being, the attention of the fish 

 is not attracted by them. Fish appreciate the quantity 

 as well as the quality of their edibles; therefore, as long 

 as the majority of the insects remain undeveloped in the 

 water, their attention is monopolized by them. When, 

 however, the surface is plenteously laden with feathery 

 atoms of life, they speedily become as bold as the angler 

 could desire. 



Before fully entering on the subject of Drake fishing, 

 it would be as well, perhaps, to enumerate the small flies 

 that are killers, more especially early and late in the day, 

 before the May flies or Drakes appear. These we give as 

 under:- Little Chap, Black Gnat, Oak fly, Alder fly, and 

 the Spinners. These naturals often in part accompany 

 the Drake upon the water, before and after its appear- 

 ance. The fish feed upon them when prevalent; before 

 ten A. M. and after six p. M. being the most likely times 

 for their proving useful; though it is by no means uncom- 

 mon to find the fish taking the small flies at mid-day, 

 when the Drake has been on for awhile. "We have often 

 watched a heavy trout eagerly skim the surface of the 

 water in chase of a small gnat, which fish has ultimately 

 proved, on being brought to land by this minute insect, 

 to be fairly gorged with the May fly. The only explana- 

 tion we can suggest is, that Master Speckle was anxious 

 for a change of diet. 



