54 WHEN IMITATIONS OF THE MAY-FLY 



other artificial fly, as unlike the May -fly as pos- 

 sible, and you will prove the theory of the philo- 

 sophers to be erroneous, for fish will not rise at these 

 un-like flies at all. They will rise, however, at a 

 bad imitation, particularly under circumstances 

 that tend to improve that imitation. When the 

 weather is gloomy and windy during the " drake 

 season," and the deep waters are ruffled, and few 

 natural May-flies are out, imitations of them will 

 kill well. I account for it thus. During such 

 weather the imperfections of the artificial fly are 

 to a great measure hidden. The water is dis- 

 turbed and not very clear, the plash caused by the 

 falling line and large imitation-flies is not very 

 great, and the appearance of the artificial fly 

 then is like that of a natural one either drowned 

 or drowning, or struggling against the effects of 

 gusty weather. On a fine clear day, in pools at 

 least, the artificial May-fly will not succeed ; 

 and still less any of the philosophers' outlandish 

 flies, because of the impossibility of imitating the 

 motions of the natural May-fly observed plainly 

 and constantly by the fish through the clear and 

 tranquil water sending up myriads of the beautiful 

 real insect. When it first comes to the surface 

 of the water it has to shake off the case that con- 

 fines its wings, to dry them, to gain a little 

 strength in the new atmosphere it breathes, be- 

 fore it can fly away to enjoy a few hours' existence. 



