316 ON GAUDY SALMON FLIES. 



at great depths, may see it ; but I never had any 

 great success with my gaudy flies, either in the 

 Tweed or elsewhere, in clear and low waters." 

 Although gaudy flies are in great request in 

 Ireland and Norway, I am confident that they 

 only suit deep and somewhat turbid waters, and I 

 am certain that Mr. Scrope's rules for the size 

 and colour of salmon-flies will be found practical 

 general ones for every salmon river in the world. 

 Mr. Scrope says, " I do not mean to assert that 

 all flies are equally successful, for there must 

 obviously be a preference, however slight ; but I 

 mean merely to say that a failure oftener occurs 

 from atmospheric variations than from the colour 

 of the fly. Yet an occasional change is always 

 advisable, particularly if you have had any offers 

 (rises) ; since the fish in so rising, having, perhaps, 

 discovered the deception, will not be solicitous to 

 renew their acquaintance with a detected scamp. 

 After all, the great thing is to give the appear- 

 ance and motion of a living animal. If your fish 

 misses the fly in making his offer, wait awhile 

 before you throw a second time ; and if he re- 

 rises at all, he will come more eagerly for this 

 delay. But if you keep lashing away at him 

 immediately, as I have seen many fishermen do, 

 and practical hands to, he will probably treat 

 you with contempt, and will have no intercourse 

 with your gay deluders for the rest of the day." 



