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flies, named after the particular insect of which 

 it is pretended they are an imitation, but to 

 which they hear so very distant a resemblance that 

 the most skilful entomologist would be completely 

 at fault in assigning the species. Such lists, for the 

 most part, only confuse the beginner, and give him 

 wrong ideas of the rationale of the art, and are not 

 of the least use to the proficient The greatest num.- 

 ber of trout, as is well known to every practical 

 angler, are caught with flies which are the least like 

 any which frequent the water. The imitation of 

 the yellow May, which is so common on many 

 streams towards the latter end of May and the be- 

 ginning of June, is scarcely worth admitting into 

 the angler's book; for when the natural fly is most 

 abundant, and teachers say the imitation is to be 

 used, it is generally good for nothing, as the trout 

 very seldom take it when the real fly is on the 

 water; but, in direct opposition to the unfounded 

 theory, prefer a hackle, black, red, or brown, or a 

 dark-coloured fly. Some writers have recommended 

 light-coloured flies when the water is clear, and dark- 

 coloured ones when it is discoloured; but in this 

 advice we cannot concur, as our practice is nearly 

 the reverse. When the water is clearing after rain 

 for it is needless to try fly-fishing when the water 

 is at the full, and almost black during a spate or 

 fresh we again repeat it, that no flies are more 

 likely to tempt trouts than red-hackles and flies 

 with bodies of a similar shade; and when the water 



