188 FISHING GOSSIP. 



the six and " seven pounders " of Kiltoomb ! I will 

 not assert that large trout never rise to this kind of 

 fly in Irish lakes, for I know that they have done so. 

 But the instances are so few and accidental that the 

 exception in such cases proves the rule to the con- 

 trary. The size, then, of the fly here intended for 

 night-angling, is one or two sizes less than the ordi- 

 nary salnion-fly, with which I presume all anglers are 

 acquainted. The selection of the species or varieties 

 of flies to be employed, though of much importance, 

 is not so readily disposed of. Indeed a jury of Irish 

 anglers themselves would, I fear, have to stand a 

 long siege in the jury-room before giving a unani- 

 mous verdict on the subject. A general instruction 

 must certainly suffice, where certainty is imprac- 

 ticable. As a rule, the flies found to kill best by 

 day will answer best by night. To describe the 

 materials, the style of dressing, and other minutiae 

 of manipulation of even half-a-dozen of flies for this 

 purpose, as such duty should be performed, would 

 occupy more space than could be well devoted to the 

 task in this place. I must therefore assume that the 

 angler is sufficiently acquainted with the water he 

 fishes, and the flies suitable to it, to make his own selec- 

 tion. His next step will be to mount the flies chosen 

 on two foot-lines, one of which he attaches to his 

 line ; the other, as a reserve cast, he winds round his 

 hat. If an accident should occur, or a change of flies 



