ON TROUTING, TKOUT FLIES, ETC. 95 



the bottom upwards, while those ascending into the 

 air are done with the water, not requiring to return. 



Flies on which trout principally feed are such as 

 are bred in water, and these having passed their ten 

 or twelve months, in the grub state, and arisen into 

 the full flush of their aerial term, very quickly per- 

 form the functions necessary to the continuance of 

 their species, and leave the water as a band of newly 

 fledged locusts leave the desert sands, flying off as 

 may be seen, particularly in the months of April, 

 May, and June, in myriads. I often see them on all 

 the breezes, arise from the water and take to flight 

 over the Tweed's banks of seventy feet high of 

 course unreturning. The millions of trout devour 

 millions of flies each, still myriads are left, these 

 flying out to the bushes and broad open downs to 

 disport their hour, day, or term in other situations. 



It must be understood that all this time, under 

 my above receipt, you are using very fine tackle, a 

 well balanced rod, with line to match, of a rightly 

 calculated weight for the throw as too light a cast- 

 ing line is a more grievous mistake than even too 

 heavy and fine gut of a water or window glass 

 colour. The rod should be about thirteen feet 

 throwing out a line under easy command, say of from 

 twenty to thirty feet, as found necessary. With 



