242 THE SALMON FLY. 



trial, varying the wings with Mallard for ordinary occasions. Usk men 

 would probably put black Turkey, having white points, for the sectional 

 wings ; whilst on the Earn four strips of Mandarin Drake* have already 

 secured more than one " tight line." 



But that sort of snow water which presents to the eye a milky 

 appearance is extremely detrimental to sport. As soon as the milkiness 

 passes away the rise of water caused by the melted snow is not so in- 

 jurious as many people imagine ; still it is nearly useless fishing with any 

 fly until the water has fallen one inch outright, and become clearer. 



In snowwater, bright as gin, use transparent hackles, as, for example, 

 the silver furnace, or silver coch-y-bonddu. 



These observations apply rather to the northern than to the southern 

 rivers. In fact, I have never done any good at all in the Test or Usk 

 when snow water hangs about, but have had grand sport on the Spey 

 when the milkiness disappears. But in all countries sport depends much 

 upon the state of the river when the fish enter it. Eunning up in mild 

 weather, and soon afterwards meeting with snow water, Salmon " go off" 

 directly and will look at nothing in the shape of flies ; but under reversed 

 conditions they " come on " just as quickly. The presence of snow in 

 fresh water does not always deter Salmon from leaving the sea ; and 

 when they run in it, the Angler may depend they will take in it. 

 However, this subject is more fully dealt with in Chapter VII.. for, like 

 several other topics, for instance, rain, side reflection, etc., it cannot be 

 condensed into paragraph form with only one or two specimen flies 

 recommended for use. 



Whatever state the water may be in, and at whatever station the 

 Angler may be engaged, no matter whether the pattern selected is bright 

 or sombre, the longer the hackle the less the fly should be played. 



In choosing a long-hackled fly, select, from the sort you want, one 

 with the feather having the most life in it. This holds good on all rivers, 

 exclusive of the Spey, and I fancy the cheesy, inanimate " Spey-cock 

 hackle," though worshipped locally, will soon be superseded by others 

 which are more mobile and never " drone " or " droop." There is, for 

 example, more life in a " Grey Heron " or a " Night Heron " (red) than in 



* Vide the "Mandarin Drake" fly, Chapter IV. 



