29 



The male fly has a distinct crown of orange, or brownish 

 red, which is also visible in the female, though not to an 

 equal extent. The dark watchet is one of the daintiest 

 morsels with which you can tempt a trout, and one of the 

 most difficult to imitate satisfactorily. 



Flies on Plate 5. 



No. 22. DARK SPANISH NEEDLE (Needle Brown). Hook O. 

 WINGS. Hackled with a feather from the darkest part of 



a Brown Owl's wing. 

 BODY. Orange silk. 

 HEAD. Peacock herl. 



A good standard fly all through the season ; but the 

 natural insect cannot be imitated as a winged fly with any 

 approach to a similitude to nature, owing to its diminutive 

 size and the peculiar situation of its wings. Trout will 

 often take it when few other flies will kill ; the natural 

 fly is most plentiful on the water on days with flying 

 clouds and fitful bursts of sunshine, with a cold wind 

 blowing underneath. Ronalds does not mention it. 

 It is, however, a favourite in Yorkshire, particularly on 

 the Rye, the Ure, and the Wharfe. It is often a capital 

 killer on damp, close days in September, and will be found 

 very useful as a grayling fly as far on as the beginning of 

 December. The name " Needle " was probably given to 

 it owing to the peculiar steely shade visible on the wings. 



No. 23. LIGHT SPANISH NEEDLE. Hook O. 

 WlNGS. Hackled with a feather from inside a Jack-Snipe's 

 wing, or from the breast of a young Starling. 

 BODY. Crimson silk. 

 HEAD. Peacock herl. 



Another form of No. 22, more suitable for warm days. 

 The shades of the natural flies vary considerably. 



