122 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 



those used in the Tweed in point of materials, but 

 not generally so large in size, and the form is shorter 

 and thicker. In both the Spey and Findhorn the 

 hooks are much larger than for the Ness. 



" I am not able to say how far one might be suc- 

 cessful in any river with a common Tweed fly, only 

 varying its size and colour to the state of the river 

 at the time ; I think the chances are that one might 

 kill fish in any river with them, just on the same 

 principle that in the Tweed many are successful 

 with the bright gaudy Irish flies, which are so op- 

 posite to the legitimate Tweed hooks. But I do 

 not think this has ever been properly and fairly 

 tried, for one is apt to adopt the hook commonly 

 used on the river he goes to, without giving himself 

 the trouble to inquire into the cause for such a form 

 or style being adopted. For myself, I have hooked 

 and landed good fish both in the Tay and Findhorn 

 with the common Tweed fly,* and I am sure they 

 would do also in the Spey ; although I allow that I 

 would not have the same confidence in fishing with 

 any other than the common and well known hooks 

 for each respective river." 



An old friend of mine, John Haliburton, formerly 



* Tweed flies are not nearly so much used now for fishing the Tweed 

 as Irish flies. [EDR.] 



