METHOD OF USING THE MAY-FLY. 163 



the edge as a foot further out, the angler must 

 endeavour to keep his line out of the main current, 

 or his flies will come down too fast. Unlike the 

 creeper, the May-fly is most killing when the waters 

 are large and dark-coloured, and must then be used 

 close to the edges ; the angler will seldom get a 

 trout in the centre of the current. The deep and 

 strong sides of pools and streams, within a foot of 

 the edge, are the best places ; but every spot where 

 a tuft of grass or projecting bush or bank affords 

 shelter to a trout should be fished with great care. 

 A rapid sweep of water past some dry channel 

 can always be relied upon, as the channel produces 

 flies in abundance, and some trout are sure to be on 

 the outlook for them. Greater nicety in casting is 

 requisite in using this bait than any other, as if the 

 angler casts half-a-foot too far out, when the waters 

 are flooded, his labour will be in vain. When the 

 waters are clear, trout will occasionally take in the 

 centre of the stream ; but the edges are always 

 mostly to be depended upon, as the trout wishing 

 to feed upon the May-flies come to the edges to 

 look for them. 



Trout generally take May-fly best early in the 

 morning ; but if much dew has fallen during the 

 night, they will not take freely until the sun has 

 dried it up. There are usually two distinct takes 

 with this bait ; one in the morning, from about 

 three to six, when they stop for a short time, but 

 resume again in an hour or two, and continue taking 



