ARTIFICIAL FLY. 107 



they should never be changed till he does ; the 

 only way to come to the true knowledge of which, 

 he must observe an old-established rule laid down 

 for that purpose ; and as it is poetically described 

 by Mr. Gay, I shall give it him in that dress. 



Mark well the various seasons of the year, 



How the succeeding insect race appear ; 



hi this revolving moon one colour reigns, 



Which in the next the fickle trout disdains. 



Oft have I seen a skilful angler try 



The various colours of the treacherous fly ; 



'When he with fruitless pain bath skimm'd the brook, 



And the coy fish rejects the skipping hook, 



He shakes the boughs, that on the margin grow, 



Which o'er the stream a waving forest throw ; 



"When if an insect fall (his certain guide) 



He gently takes him from the whirling tide : 



Examines well his form with curious eyes, 



His gaudy vest, his wings, his horns, and size; 



Then round his hook the chosen fur he winds, 



And on the back a speckled feather binds ; 



So just the colours shine through every 



That Nature seems to live again hi art. 



7UE BEST METHOD TO MAKE AX ARTIFICIAL FLY 

 ffOT A PALMER. 



First hold your hook fast betwixt the fore- 

 finger and thumb of your left hand, with the 

 back of the shank upwards, and the point to- 

 wards your right hand ; then take a strong small 

 silk, of the colour most predominant in the 

 ily you intend to make, wax it well with the wax 

 of the same colour, and draw it between your fin- 

 ger and thumb to the head of the shank, then 

 whip it twice or thrice about the bare hook, which 

 prevent its slipping, and the shank of the hook 

 from cutting the gut : which being done, take 

 :r gut and draw it likewise between your fin- 



