SIZE OF LOCH-FLIES. 191 



while it continued so, we captured six trout for our 

 friend's one ; but after we had been fishing for some 

 time, it began to blow violently, when the tables 

 were turned, leaving us behind. After waiting 

 long enough to ascertain the point, we put on large 

 flies, which put us both on an equal footing. The 

 depth of water also, to a certain extent, regulates 

 the size of fly. The trout in lochs usually lie 

 near the bottom, and if the water is deep it will 

 require a larger size of fly to attract their attention ; 

 but as it is usual for the angler to fish in about 

 the same depth of water, there is no occasion for his 

 troubling himself about this. 



The colour of the water and the amount of wind 

 should also, to some extent, regulate the colour of 

 the fly. In dark-coloured lochs, red and the more 

 gaudy colours will be found most enticing, while, in 

 a clear water, brown and the more sober colours 

 will be found best. Also, in a stormy day, a gaudy- 

 coloured fly will answer best ; but in a calm one, 

 always choose the less glaring colours, and avoid 

 tinsel. 



The only other cause which should influence 

 the angler in selecting the proper size and colour of 

 flies is the wariness of the trout. Where trout 

 are not at all shy, larger and more gaudy flies may 

 be used than where they are much fished for, or 

 shy from any cause, as a shy fish is very suspicious, 

 and will detect the counterfeit in a smaller fly than 

 another fish will. It is exceedingly difficult to 



