154 A BOOK ON ANGLING 



much consequence, and I as often use it without as with, as 

 the tail in the living insect is stuck upwards from the water, and, 

 I am inclined to think, is unnoticed by the trout. However, as 

 it is well to have your fly perfect if you wish it, tie in at the end 

 of the whipping a couple of strands of a lighter hackle than the 

 one you use. The natural insect has rather a prominent head, 

 and eyes of a bright brown colour, and if you like to take half 

 a turn of reddish squirrel fur at the extreme shoulder it will 

 improve the fly. The iron-blue comes out on bleak days early 

 in the season, when there is a glint of sunshine ; but there is 

 another little dark dun which much resembles the iron-blue, 

 but is not so dark, being a shade or two lighter throughout, and 

 the body should be lightly ribbed with fine straw-coloured silk. 

 This fly, often taken for the iron-blue, comes on several'.times later 

 in the season. It is quite possible that it may be a reproduction 

 of the iron-blue, as the iron-blues themselves vary in depth of 

 colour slightly, being lighter on one river than another. It is a 

 valuable lure, and the angler should have two or three shades of 

 it, for I have often been puzzled, though having different 

 shades, in hitting the exact hue, and colour is, as I have before 

 said, a great point with the trout. 



And now look sharp, for half an hour has passed while you 

 have been rummaging out your materials and tying your fly ; 

 and see, a fresh detachment of the iron-blues are sailing down 

 the water, and the surface of the water, quiet enough but a 

 few minutes since, is again alive with fish ; and, as I live, there 

 is your fat friend, who so contemptuously left your cast 

 unnoticed a while agone, as busy as ever. Now for it deftly, 

 deftly ! Well cast and lightly. Ha ! again he rises, and this 

 time you are revenged for his previous contempt, for you have 

 him fast under " a severe course of steel " that shall speedily 

 tame his rampant energy. So : safe at last ! A beauty, and 

 two honest pounds in weight, as I am a living angler and a 

 sinner. Bravo ! he will grace your basket right worthily ; but 

 lose no time in looking at him, you will have time for that 

 anon, when the fish have ceased rising again. Always make 

 hay as fast as you can while the sun shines and the iron-blues 

 are coming, swirling thick and fast, and luck be with you, 

 brother angler. Three cheers for your iron-blue ! may it be 

 the True Blue ! This is also an indispensable servant of the 

 angler's. 



After a few days the iron-blue casts his coat, and you may 

 find yours, perhaps, on some warm evening, covered with the 



