CHAP. VIL] THE SECOND DAT. 405 



JANUARY. 1 



1. A Bed Brown, with wings of the male of a mallard, 



almost white ; the dubbing, 

 of the tail of a black long- 

 coated cur, such as they 

 commonly make muffs of; 

 for the hair on the tail of 

 such a dog dyes and turns 

 to a red brown, but the 

 hair of a smooth-coated 

 dog of the same colour will 

 not do, because it will not dye, but retains its natural colour. 2 

 And this fly is taken, in a warm sun, this whole month 

 through. 



2. There is also a very little Bright-dun Gnat, as little as 

 can possibly be made, so little as never to be fished with, 

 with above one hair next the hook : and this is to be made 

 of a mixed dubbing of marten's fur, and the white of ahare's- 



and be as wise, as he that makes hay by the fair days in an almanack, and 

 no surer ; for those very flies that use to appear about, and on the water, 

 in one month of the year, may the following year come almost a month 

 sooner or later. For the generality, three or four flies, neat and rightfully 

 made, and not too big, serve for a trout in most rivers all the summer.' " 

 Preface, Complete Angler. The directions contained in the following lines 

 are at least as useful as any : 



' ' A brown -red fly at morning grey, 



A darker dun in clearer day : 



When summer rains have swelled the flood, 



The hackle red, and worm are good : 



At eve when twilight shades prevail, 



Try the hackle white and snail. 



Be mindful aye your fly to throw 



Light as falls the flakey snow." H. 



1 "Writers who have formed their lists of flies for each particular month 

 of the year, according to the example of old father Walton, have not attended 

 to the alteration in the calendar since his time, and do not seem to know 

 that fish, never having been made acquainted with the act of George I. com- 

 manding the change, still observe the old style. All the editions of Walton 

 published since this act for correcting the calendar to the present time are 

 consequently twelve days behind in their lists of flies for every month, and 

 require correction accordingly. It is surprising that the editor of a late expen- 

 sive edition of Walton, who is so well acquainted with dates and calendars, 

 should have overlooked this most important fact." Angler's Souvenir. 



2 The dubbing is to be warped on as No. 1 in February, infra. H. 



