112 ON CREEPERS. 



these three classes have their growth in the water, and 

 hatch their flies in the way that has been described. 

 The creepers and flies furnish the greatest portion of 

 the insect food of the fish the choice of trout, grayl- 

 ing, and smelt, and the select of the craft the season 

 through. They may be termed the regular forces of 

 the flyfisher, for nature has bound each numerous 

 swarm when its time comes to appear, and shew itself 

 on the water to the fishes, every day of their duration. 

 The land flies and insects come on the water by acci- 

 dent, and never so numerous or ever so regular. The 

 creepers tell the forthcoming of the flies. The streams 

 of Ripon abound with every variety ; in fine weather 

 and low waters they may all be found at their times, 

 under loose stones that may be taken up with the hand 

 within the edges of the stream the rough cases of the 

 duns sheltering under or attached to the stones the 

 browns and drakes scampering about for cover again. 

 They will hatch their flies in water pots if not disturbed, 

 and the water kept constantly fresh. They draw to the 

 edges of the waters, towards their maturity, and as the 

 season advances, and in summer, they swarm with 

 them, when the waters run quick with life, as the Poet 

 sings : 



" See through this air, this ocean, and this earth, 

 All matter quick, and bursting into birth.'* 



In addition to these three classes of creepers vast vari- 

 eties of the spinners, beetles, gnats, midges, etc., are 

 perpetually progressing and pouring their winged pro- 

 geny on the waters, daily, throughout the season, ma- 

 king ample store and choice for the fish, and a task for 

 the flyfisher to discover and imitate the fly they prefer. 



