PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



off to a distance to fish fly. I gave him two 

 small feathers of the Merlin Hawk, which I 

 happened to have in my pocket-book. When 

 I next saw him, some time afterwards, he told 

 me that he had made two flies with the feathers 

 which I gave him ; and that he had caught 

 fifty-six Trouts with them, having carefully re- 

 made and repaired them several times, until 

 they were quite worn out. 



THE BLACK CATERPILLARS. 



There are two flies of this name, the little one 

 and the large one. The latter is too large for 

 stream fishing, except in very rough weather. 

 The little Black Caterpillar appears about the 

 tenth of May, and when out, may always be 

 found on the hawthorn. It may easily be 

 known by some of its legs hanging down when 

 flying, in a peculiar way, as if one or two of 

 them were broken. Hook i ; wing from a 

 Starling's quill; silk, dark lead colour; a turn 

 or two of black Ostrich's herl under the wings. 

 The large Black Caterpillar is made in a similar 

 way, on a 3 or 4 hook, and is an excellent fly 

 for Lake or Tarn fishing. 



A few years ago, a large flight of insects came 

 out in the neighbourhood of Coniston, of a kind 

 which I have never noticed before or since. 

 They were, in every respect but one, quite 

 similar in size and appearance to the Black 

 Caterpillar. The whole of their legs and thighs 

 were a deep rich claret colour, whilst in the 

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