FLIES. 31 



alone, as far as concerns colour and size, is the proper 

 persuasive wherewith to ensnare fish. Yet, with regard 

 to the artificial salmon fly, we pretend not to guess for 

 what it is taken, as, from the manner of using it, its 

 motions are altogether unlike those of any insect exist- 

 ing, and very unlike those of the dragon fly, which it 

 is made to resemble. We therefore agree with the 

 theorists as to it, that it is taken by hungry fish foolishly 

 and ignorantly, and on account merely of its seeming 

 existence. 



While on salmon flies, we may notice some of the 

 most effective kinds for Scottish rivers. These may 

 be reduced to three or four ; and first, the professor's 

 on a large scale, with its mallard wings, yellow silk 

 body, and red or black hackles, only let the hackles be 

 brought down somewhat farther on the hook than is 

 done on the trouting fly." Second, wings of a mottled 

 turkey or pheasant tail feather, with brown or lemon- 

 coloured mohair body, thread of gold tinsel, and light 

 brown or cinnamon -coloured hackle ; the upper part, 

 to resemble the head, may be varied with a little dark 

 mohair or a black hackle. Third, a dark fly, winged 

 with deep brown turkey feathers, and white tips ; the 

 body of black or purple mohair, black hackle and silver 

 tinsel, with a scarlet or crimson tuft at the tail, and 

 yellowish head. Somewhat similar to this is what is 

 called the Mauie fly, after Mr Maule of Edinburgh, 

 a keen and successful salmon fisher. The wings of 

 this very effective insect should be formed of mottled 

 turkey feather, its body of camlet wool surmounted 

 with silver twist, and a black-edged brown hackle ; a 

 tip formed of light orange or lemon-coloured wool under 

 a small portion of drake's feather, ought likewise to be 

 added. We have always found this a very killing fly, 

 use it where we might. 



