NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 215 



larger than those usually used this side of the border, is 

 the best trouting fly throughout Scotland, being a standard 

 killer upon all its waters, excepting the Tay and Tweed, 

 for which rivers the ordinary southern flies are adapted. 

 In 1864, Lord Erskine took the heaviest take of trout of 

 the season upon the Tweed, with the small black Gnat. 



A heavy shower often has a very beneficial effect upon 

 the rodster's sport. We have frequently seen young an- 

 glers, at the preliminary drops of an impending shower, 

 rush for the nearest shelter, whilst the descending rain 

 drops, beating down myriads of insects upon the water, 

 allured the fish from their customary haunts to the sur- 

 face, where in these circumstances they are to be readily 

 taken by the persevering angler. As soon as the favorable 

 and friendly rain has ceased to fall, Mr. Novice assidu- 

 ously recommences to flog the stream, inwardly congrat- 

 ulating himself, doubtless, at having been so fortunate 

 in evading an unpleasant experience. 



Amongst the flies numerous in the evenings of sultry 

 days, the spinners figure conspicuously, from the Great 

 Red of the heavy browns, to the prim little creatures of 

 the Iron Blue order. The fish are usually all life from 

 sunset until dark, and after this, too, when the moon rises; 

 thus, if the angler is not busy too, in all probability the 

 fault lies with himself. This month is the best in the 

 whole season for minnow-fishing in brooks and rapid 

 running waters. "For information upon this subject 

 we refer our readers to Trout Spinning. The largest 

 trout are generally found feeding at some distance from 

 very deep water, encumbered by tree roots or large 

 stones; sometimes the bank is hollowed under an old 

 tree root for yards, by the constant washing of the water. 

 When disturbed, the trout will make for these retreats at 

 a rapid pace, and should the unfortunate angler allow the' 

 fish once to get to his hold when hooked, he will to a cer- 

 tainty lose his capture, and imperil his tackle. Much is 



