188 LOCH-FISHING. 



loch-flies in common use are intended to represent, 

 or what part of the body it is that is imitated by 

 the tinsel so lavishly bestowed? Certainly, we 

 ourselves never saw any insects like artificial loch- 

 flies. 



It is quite unnecessary to have a large collection 

 of flies, and the following comprise all that are 

 necessary for any loch in which trout are to be 

 found : Red, purple, orange, yellow, blue, brown, 

 and green bodies, made either of Berlin wool or 

 mohair, and with or without tinsel. Wings of 

 feathers taken from the jay, woodcock, grouse, 

 teal, or mallard (we prefer the three first mentioned), 

 with black and red cock-hackles, or the small feathers 

 alluded to when treating of river-flies, varied to 

 suit the colour of the fly. A tail is an improve- 

 ment to the appearance of a good sized fly, and may 

 be made of a few fibres of the feathers taken from 

 the neck of the golden pheasant, or a tuft of Berlin 

 wool of a different colour from the body of the fly. 

 In loch as in river fishing, the angler must be 

 cautioned against trusting too much in flies. 



In dressing loch-flies, the hackle may either be 

 carried down the full length of the body, or con- 

 fined to the part immediately below the wings ; 

 the latter is perhaps preferable, as it makes a neater 

 and more shapely fly. Commence operations at the 

 bend of the hook at the place where you intend 

 the tail of the fly to be by fastening on the tail- 

 tuft, and the end of the thread of worsted or mohair, 



