1 12 TROUT FISHING 



killers these soldier flies are but in using them, 

 one need be quick of movement, or they will 

 scare and not catch trout. The various shades 

 from crimson and yellow to red, all with fancy- 

 coloured hackles, answer well at these times in- 

 deed, the only objection I know to them is, that 

 they catch so many trout that their bodies wear 

 out by the constant biting and tearing of the 

 fish's teeth. I have commonly used two hare's 

 flax flies one of a reddish, the other a yellowish 

 hue, and I rarely or never change them during 

 the brighter months. I don't wish to limit the 

 fisherman's resources in flies, but I state this fact, 

 hat it may console him some day, when he may 

 be fishing my old haunts and can obtain no sport. 

 He may, too, if he remember my confession, think 

 that there is some truth in what I have endea- 

 voured to prove, viz. that there is more trust to 

 be placed in the peculiar use of flies, than in the 

 selection of any one particular fly. The collar 

 should consist of four or five links of stout gut, 

 and no more than two flies should ever be used 

 in bright water. 



From what has been previously stated concern- 

 ing the difference between the sluggish deep 

 stream and the merry, lively, boiling brook, it 

 must not be expected that any or scarcely any 

 similarity should be described in the manner of 

 fishing the two the former essentially requiring 

 the wily temper to dissemble, and by false imita- 

 tion deceive the cautious trout ; the latter afford- 

 ing a scope for a new practice over and beyond 



