FISHING RODS AND FLIES. 27 



killing fly at times, particularly in blustering Weather, is 

 made of the following material : Body of two of the long- 

 est and most rufous strands of a feather from a brown tur- 

 key ; these strands to have the fingers pulled up them, so 

 as to cause the fine edges to stand out before being wrap- 

 ped on. Shoulder of brown cock's hackle, with brown 

 grouse feather for wing. In autumn, particularly if the 

 stream should be clearing after a flood, I have known this 

 fly to be most effective. However, it is no bad plan, if you 

 are a stranger in a neighborhood, to get hold of an honest 

 disciple of Izaak Walton, who will give you information, 

 and if he be poor very probably sell you some of the con- 

 tents of his book. Except for sea-trout fishing, the brill- 

 iant and many-colored macaw-like compositions are gen- 

 erally useless in American inland streams ; so let not love 

 of gaudy coloring or the advice of inexperienced persons 

 induce you to spend your time and money on such fabri- 

 cations. 



We will suppose the novice accoutred with all that mon- 

 ey and judgment can obtain in the shape of tackle and rod 

 at the same time hoping that his garments are composed 

 of those sober, quiet colors that are least observable; for 

 whether in shooting, deer-stalking, or fishing, attention to 

 this is all important to be on the river's margin, at a spot 

 free from bush, rock, or other impediment. The rod is 

 carefully put together (I hope it is a spliced one, for I shall 

 have more hope for the beginner's ultimate success from 

 this choice), the reel attached, the line drawn through the 

 rings, and the cast and flies are carefully taken off his hat, 

 round which they have been wrapped (to make them more 

 subservient and less obstreperous on commencing work), 

 and made fast to the line. Ere an attempt at the first 'cast 

 is made, take one word of advice. Englishmen are so horsey 

 in their proclivities that they invariably consider a rod, 



