VI. TO FL.YFISHERS. 



productions. She has divided her mazy masses of 

 Insects into tribes or classes, and stamped each class 

 with its own peculiar shape, which distinguish all the 

 genus. The seven classes include all the trout, gray- 

 ling, and smelt flies that are generally known or have 

 come under notice ; but doubtless there are more of 

 each class that have not been observed. They are 

 named after their class, and according to size, color, or 

 other distinguishing peculiarities. In the beginning of 

 the year the waters are full of creepers of different 

 kinds ; and on the first dawn of the sun's recruiting 

 power, the first earlies of their flies make their appear- 

 ance, which is the signal for the flyfisher to prepare 

 for action. Increasing numbers and succeeding tribes 

 burst forth and keep the game alive throughout the 

 season. Each tribe at its appointed time hatching and 

 laying their eggs, more or less, every day of their du- 

 ration, when thousands of the flies are borne on the 

 surface of the water into the gaping mouths of the 

 watchful fishes. The large species, the stone fly, green 

 drake, etc., are generally fished natural; the lesser 

 species are imitated artificially for small flyfishing, 

 which may be used whenever their originals are on the 

 water ; and bygone times have stamped their worth to 

 the craftsman's magic cast. The spring sport with the 

 small fly, for trout and old smelt are superior to all 

 other stream fishing. The summer sport in July and 

 August, is checked by the fish having plenty and hard 

 angled at ; are more timid, nice, and cautious many 

 of the spring swarms of flies are spent, and the second 

 swarms not hatched; and such as are hatching are 

 strong and soon quit the waters; so that the clear 



