METHOD OF USING THE CREEPEK. 161 



cold weather they do not commence till 8 or 9 A. M. 

 and leave off in about five or six hours. 



The creeper in general will not be found effective 

 until trout are thoroughly in condition, as, until they 

 are so, they have not strength to lie in the streams, 

 where alone this bait is of any use. The longer 

 they remain on the water, the more readily trout 

 take them. They are a much more deadly bait in 

 the middle of May than in the middle of April, and 

 when they are changing into flies, we have found it 

 quite immaterial whether we used the creeper or 

 the fly. 



The May-fly is even a more deadly bait than 

 the creeper ; but unfortunately the period of its 

 duration is shorter. If the flies can be got of 

 sufficient size, they may be baited in the same 

 manner as the creeper, if intended to be used 

 among small trout when the streams are clear ; 

 but in any other circumstances two should be used ; 

 and they should be baited in the following manner, 

 substituting for the lower hook of the creeper tackle 

 a larger hook, say a No. 5 or 6 : Take a good-sized 

 fly, and, entering the large hook about the middle, 

 run it along the body, and bring it out at the tail ; 

 then run the fly up the shank of the large hook, 

 and insert the small hook through its shoulders, 

 which will keep it in position ; next take another 

 fly, and, entering the large hook a little above the 

 middle, bring it out a little below. If two flies do 

 not cover the hooks properly, the angler should put 



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