CHAPTER V. 



Flies. 



HE finest and most artistic branch of fish- 

 ing is the taking of surface-feeding fish 

 by means of the artificial fly. Fly fishing 

 is not of recent origin. We find that this 

 kind of sport was indulged in by the an- 

 cient Romans, but it was in England, 

 hundreds of years later that it was developed to its present 

 stand. It is the favorite method of nearly all trout anglers 

 in this country, and is the kind of fishing also employed 

 for the Atlantic salmon, and largely used for the capture 

 of black bass and other fishes of less importance. As prac- 

 ticed in England it is far advanced over our comparatively 

 crude methods used on this side of the water. 



Artificial flies are not merely bright colored feathers tied 

 in various combinations to suit the angler's fancy, as many 

 believe, but each fly, with a few exceptions, is an imitation 

 of some insect found on the streams at one time of the year 

 or other, on which the fish feed, or an imitation of a cater- 

 pillar or other favorite food. A few, however, have been 

 designed in imitation of nothing living, and hare proved 

 good. Because a fish never saw a live insect of just such 

 colors is no reason why he shouldn't bite at it. 



There are three game fishes which feed largely on flies 

 and the artificial flies have been designed purposely for the 

 capture of these fishes ; they are the trout, the black bass, 

 and the salmon. Therefore we have trout flies, bass flies and 

 salmon flies, and these answer for all kinds of fish that rise 

 to a fly. 



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