102 Green-drake Fishing. 



the wings of this fly, it is necessary to have recourse to 

 art for imitation. This may be produced by dyeing yellow 

 the spotted breast-feathers of a mallard or drake. Re- 

 ceipts for this dye are given amongst the materials, &c. 

 for fly-making, in another part of this work. This fly 

 kills extremely well at all hours of the day. The natural 

 fly is fished with, but is so tender to bait, and the method 

 so tedious, that it is not much used by Anglers in the 

 northern counties. When it is employed it is best to 

 make use of the blow-line. This is a very light long 

 silk-line, which is allowed to be blown on to the stream 

 by the wind, and is very deadly in consequence of its being 

 put before the fish in so natural a way ; it is raised off 

 the water and let fall again by the slightest motion of 

 the rod. The Green-drake makes its appearance first, 

 then the Grey, though they are sometimes to be seen on 

 the water together. The duration of the latter is about 

 a fortnight ; it is equally as good a killer as the Green. 

 The body is to be made of dirty-white ostrich-herl, or 

 cream-coloured crewel, dressed with flesh-coloured silk, 

 and ribbed with a dark-grizzled cock's hackle ; the head 

 a peacock's herl ; the wings of the mottled feather of a 

 mallard or drake, not very dark ; whisks the same as in 

 the Green-drake. 



In fishing the artificial-fly great nicety and care is 

 required. One fly only should be used at a time, and, if 

 possible, no part of the line should touch the water. 

 When a fish rises, the fly should be thrown directly over 

 him, and so managed, by being kept moving, as to repre- 

 sent the short flights, up and down, of the natural fly. 

 Seeing the fish take it, you will strike immediately. Good 

 strong round gut is to be used for your stinting, as the 

 fish that are taken with this fly are generally of the 

 largest kind. 



A rod of about thirteen feet, light, but smart in the 



