trout stream conditions and the insects that breed in them. 

 The discerning angler knows that the nymph is in a transi- 

 tory state between the river bed creeper and the adult trout 

 insect known as "drakes." Each one of the millions that 

 rise must ascend through midwater to the surface, during 

 which time the alert trout gorge and feed on them in transit. 

 They are wingless, with fat, luscious bodies, varied in size 

 and color, according to the species, the greater part having 

 a pale, yellowish tint, some quite pink and others black or 

 dark gray. 



Drake creepers, indeed all aquatic insects, while in the 

 creeper state are not available as food for trout because 

 they are out of sight, burrowing in the mud or sandy bottom 

 from three to eighteen inches deep below the water. 



Thus it is that nymphs of insects are hatched on the 

 bottom throughout the trout season, and by their daily ap- 

 pearance traveling through the water to the surface furnish 

 abundant natural food just close to where trout abide, so 

 that it is not at all surprising to find trout at different periods 

 unresponsive to our dry flies cast on the surface, or even 

 our wet flies played just under the surface. 



Trout are then feeding on these wingless nymphs, the 

 winged artificial fly is not then attractive to trout. Such is 

 the condition that this new art of nymph fishing has been 

 developed to meet, and from my own tests I believe it will 

 rapidly become a popular method with all the fly casters 

 after they acquire the necessary skill and learn which nymph 

 to use and the right way to play it. Anglers will learn more 

 by their own practice than by precept, or anything described 

 to them, outside the method and tools required. It is best 

 to use dry fly tackle for nymph fishing, although you fish 

 from the bottom up, at times the surface cast will get a rise. 



Wm. Mills & Son, New York, carries in stock several 

 imported nymphs, one of which has a pink body that is said 

 to have proved effective on our streams. The firm also has 

 three of Louis Rhead's new correct imitations of the natural 

 nymph found in Pennsylvania and Catskill streams. One, 

 made in yellow, is in imitation of the gray drake creeper 



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