Concerning Flies 193 



of May) trout at times " gang fair daft " for 

 an hour, or perhaps two at most, during the 

 entire day ; but " yes," when the conditions 

 are such as all experienced fly-fishermen 

 will understand, without explanation ; 

 when trout are not rising fast and furious, 

 but where only a few large, well-fed trout 

 are feeding, one here, and another there, 

 and are sucking diligently down some tiny 

 insect, such as the Blue Dun, in one or 

 other of its forms, when the waters are 

 low, the wind but a slight zephyr, and 

 the skies bright with snow-white, cumulus 

 clouds. 



At such times, I feel that one cannot 

 know too much of nature, so as to apply it 

 advantageously to our art, the art of fishing 

 under difficulties, with the wet-fly. 



I am of opinion that to use three flies is 

 a mistake and a delusion, on such very 

 critical occasions as these. It is not merely 

 sufficient to have the correct fly though 

 that is wisdom : it then becomes prudent 

 to remove at least the middle bob-fly or 

 dropper, keeping the other two flies quite 

 six feet apart. And if the trout are more 

 than usually shy and difficult of capture, a 

 single fly is best. 



I cannot recall any wet-fly angling 



o 



