PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



was gone. I have seen many a large Salmon 

 rise, but never any with such a plunge as that ; 

 and there -was no struggle, but a clear cut. I 

 can only conclude that an Otter had mistaken 

 my large fly, in the rough stream, and in the 

 twilight, for a small fish. 



Hook for the Green Woodcock i, 2, 3 ; 

 hackle, light-coloured feather of mixed brown, 

 dun, and dirty yellow, from a Woodcock's 

 wing silk, ivy or apple-green ; body, hare's 

 ear (dark part). 



THE SILK FLY. 



This is one of the most delicate and beautiful 

 insects that we have. It is one of the ephemerae. 

 The angler may not perhaps meet with it half a 

 dozen times in the course of his life, and if he 

 is not prepared with a few ready-made ones, or 

 materials for making them, he need not expect 

 any sport so long as any of the natural flies re- 

 main. It is a very rich bright yellow (brighter on 

 limestone than on gravelly or sandstone streams), 

 the colour that of the dandelion flower, body 

 and wings, and is generally made with a dyed 

 feather. There is a North American Starling 

 with a brilliant yellow breast, which imitates it 

 very well, and few dyed feathers are to be 

 trusted, as if stained with vegetable matter, they 

 are apt to fade ; if with mineral acids, they are 

 sure to be tender. Hook 2 ; hackle bright yel- 

 low ; body, floss silk of the same colour. 



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