match with the colour of the rubber. Mr. Hall, however, uses 

 horsehair in the bodies of some of the paler and more delicate- 

 tinted " intermediate duns," as he has christened them ; also for 

 the ' Jenny Spinner ' and ' Red Spinner.' Speaking of the india- 

 rubber-bodied " olive dun," Mr. Hall says : 



" This, if carefully made, is a most killing pattern in April. Every year 

 since I first discovered its merits on the Winnal Club water at Winchester I 

 have found it useful, frequently killing with it when the usual favourites have 

 been tried in vain over rising fish. The rubber body was not my own idea, 

 though I believe I was the first to try it and prove its value. 



The fly is made lighter or darker according to the colour of the rubber, and 

 wings and hackle must be chosen to match the body. The hackle should be of a 

 brownish olive to harmonise with the body, which, when held up to the light, 

 has a translucent appearance, as like to the body of a natural dun as it is 

 possible to obtain. It is only in the early spring that I ever do much with this 

 fly, and then I use it on a No. oo hook. It is extremely difficult to tie it small 

 and delicate enough for summer use, but I have killed with it in August on a 

 ooo, the smallest size made. For late summer and autumn I generally adopt 

 horsehair bodies, as the hair can be dyed different shades, and can be used of a 

 pale watery hue which cannot be got in indiarubber. I am never without a 

 few of these detached-bodied duns, and they have again and again procured 

 me sport when all else failed ; but it must be distinctly understood that they 

 are only killing because of their close resemblance in colour and transparency 

 to the natural insect. Some people seem to think that it is the detached pro- 

 jecting body which makes the fly attractive, and so they tie detached bodies of 

 quill and silk, which are, of course, dull and opaque, and very inferior to hair 

 or rubber. In fact, I consider it is labour wasted to tie detached bodies 

 except of translucent material ; and if silk or quill be used, it is far better to 

 use it on the hook in the ordinary way." 



The rubber-bodied fly in the engraving is tied on one of Mr. 

 Hall's own patterns of hooks, with the eyes turned up, and large 

 enough to allow the gut to pass through twice (in and out). They 

 are attached by the " single slip knot," the principle of which is 

 explained at page 32. This knot when tied is perfectly secure, 

 but the tying of it, especially by the river side, or when perhaps a 

 ' half a gale ' is blowing, has always appeared to me a practically 

 insuperable objection, so far as the ordinary run of fly-fishers are 

 concerned. 



