DEE PATTERNS. 243 







a " Black Heron " ; more life, in fact, in any hackle those of the " Eagle " 

 class excepted than in the fluffy butt of a " Spey-hackle." But the 

 question of colour, whether natural or artificial, must not be overlooked 

 in any case. 



On no account should the student select a gaudy fly to begin fishing 

 with ; for, without considerable interval, it hardly ever pays to present a 

 sombre one afterwards. 



He should always mount a fly one size less than recommended rather 

 than one size larger, unless exceptional circumstances occur. For 

 instance, the very principle of attack may necessitate either a small or a 

 large pattern ; that is to say, when wading you may use a one-inch 

 " dress " fishing the same water from the shore, a two-inch " dress." In 

 the former case the fly dwells over the catches, whilst the large fly 

 "fishes" quickly. Again, as a general rule, he should fix upon a fly 

 having ribs of silver early in the year. In Summer, and particularly in 

 Autumn, all patterns, even silver bodies, are more effectual when dressed 

 with ribs of gold tinsel. 



I would call the reader's special attention to the next paragraph. 



When flies characterised (like Dee patterns) by thin wings and long 

 hackles fail, and the pool or other fishing-place is long enough, rough 

 enough, and spacious enough to bear the work of four or five such flies, 

 one should first select patterns of dull decoration, and in choosing brighter 

 sorts, should hasten the pace of the fly as it comes across the water, 

 either by bringing the rod round faster, or standing farther out from the 

 fish. (Jungle, for instance, unless good, has a brownish tint over the 

 white spots Turkey may have creamy points instead of pure white ones.) 

 Afterwards you choose from patterns dressed with short hackles and 

 heavy wings. But although badly-marked feathers of this description are 

 not generally considered to decorate the dresser's cabinet, they minister 

 to his wants by helping to tone down any pattern for the preliminary pro- 

 ceedings in this and similar instances. 



Supposing the bed of the river to be of a slaty nature (recognised by 

 the Trent term " skerry ") and the day dull, dark blue, dark claret, or 

 even dark orange, with black Seal's fur or silk at the throat, will form the 

 best body materials. And where the fish will stand it, a few or more 



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