CHAPTER VII. 



THE STONE-FLY OR MAY-FLY. 

 PLATE II. xcvu. 



" Glide gently, thus for ever glide, 

 O Thames ! that Anglers all may see 

 As lovely visions by thy side 

 As now, fair river, come to me. 

 O glide, fair stream ! for ever so, 

 Thy quiet soul on all bestowing, 

 Till all our minds for ever flow, 

 As thy deep waters now are flowing." 



HIS fly is found under stones, and among 

 gravel, by the sides of brooks and rivers. It 

 is hatched from the creeper and issues from 

 the shell before it has completely gained 

 the use 'of its wings. It is about an inch 

 in length, of a brown or stone colour, with yellow rings 

 round the body, though some are altogether of a stone - 

 colour. There are two kinds, Jacks and Gins, as they are 

 termed by Anglers. The Gins are most esteemed, having 

 four large wings that project beyond the body; while 

 the Jacks have wings only about half the length. 



It is the most killing of all natural flies, and from its 

 size is the most easy to bait with ; and, as it is the largest, 

 so is it the toughest of natural flies for day fishing. The 



