206 RIVER -ANGLING. 



It would be treason to doubt the omnipotence of the 

 May-fly, whose reign, however, seldom begins in Scotland 

 till June. The more ignorant the angler the more deter- 

 mined will he be to have the imitation on his cast when the 

 natural fly is on the water. Well, let him, it will kill, 

 but whether better, either in May or June, than those I 

 have named, let the man who can deftly throw them judge 

 for himself. I was at one time as great a stickler for the 

 May-fly as any one, but for the last few years have had 

 none upon my cast, and never missed his company. I 

 don't profess to be a theorist in my fishing, but have come 

 to the conclusion that a few judicious shades from light to 

 dark are quite sufficient when fishing with small flies for 

 yellow trout, whether or not they take them for a known 

 insect ; and the least observant man, by having four of the 

 flies I have mentioned on his cast, will soon find out 

 whether light, dark, or medium is the order of the day. 



When river-fishing, I never trouble myself with more 

 tackle than three or four casts round my hat, each having 

 a different trail thus being able to fish with the fly as 

 trail, which seems for the time the favourite. If unac- 

 quainted with the stream, it may be as well to have a few 

 additional casts, with the hooks of different sizes. 



In some very muddy waters, such as the Ale in Selkirk- 

 shire, (exactly the colour of its name,) a single thread of 

 silver is recommended when fishing with a dark fly. I tried 

 this, but found a red palmer quite as effective. No doubt, 

 however, the tinsel is good in such a case, though I have 

 seldom seen a river discoloured enough to require it. 



