124 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, ETC. 



Thomson, once in Newstead, or the Kersses, the 

 Purdies, and Johnstones, who, on the Tweed, could 

 ever throw a line with Haliburton ? 



But not to multiply instances bearing on the point, 

 I find, from my own experience, and that of others 

 in whose skill and judgment I place full confidence, 

 that the matter is resolvable into this general leading 

 principle that large or showy flies suit best in deep, 

 dark, or drumly waters, and the finer modest shades 

 of variation, such as I have here endeavoured to de- 

 scribe, are necessary to entice in the settled calm of 

 summer pool and stream. 



But it is seldom difficult to find arguments in 

 support of exceptions to any general rule, and I am 

 aware that in no instance could it ever be more easy 

 than in the very limited selection of flies I have 

 described ; because almost every fisher prefers a 

 particular style of hook, and I am quite aware an 

 angler might fish successfully for a life-time, and yet 

 never use a fly that could be proven to be an exact 

 type of any one here described. At the same time, 

 I am certain that unless some of my principle can be 

 detected in his hook, his general success will be far 

 from coming up to his wishes and expectations. 



