30 ANGLING. 



have angled in vain through many a bright consum- 

 mate morn, no " dread magnificence" in heaven, 

 and when the odds in our favour were as a salmon 

 to a sand-eel. We have half filled a pannier during 

 an electric hail-storm, when " sky lowered and mut- 

 tered thunder," and the aspect of the day was such 

 as to deter more experienced though less zealous 

 sportsmen from leaving the shelter of their homes. 

 But if the river is not too low, we always prefer 

 what in ordinary language might be called a fine 

 cheerful day, more particularly if there is a fresh 

 breeze. And what we would more particularly 

 press upon the notice of the angler, as soon as he 

 becomes master of the line, is that he should cast 

 his flies more frequently than is the usual practice, 

 and, generally speaking, fish rapidly. This should 

 be more especially attended to in streams where 

 the trout are numerous and not large. 



Before enumerating and describing the different 

 kinds of artificial flies in greatest repute, we shall 

 mention a few of the principal materials used by the 

 fly-fisher. The articles which he employs, in com- 

 mon with those who prosecute the other branches 

 of the trade, are of course, rods, hair and gut lines, 

 reels and hooks, panniers and landing-nets ; but, in 

 addition to these he must be provided with a great 

 variety of feathers, such as the slender plumes 

 called hackles, from the necks and backs of common 

 poultry, and the wings of a considerable number of 

 birds, such as woodcocks, snipes, rails, plovers, 

 ducks, grouse, partridges, and others. The furs of 

 quadrupeds are also indispensable ; and of these the 



