THE FLY 77 



seeks to imitate the fly on the water as closely as human 

 skill and the gross material at his disposal will permit ; 

 and he endeavours so to manoeuvre his lure that its 

 movements may conform to those of the insect it simu- 

 lates. He copies nature in every detail, and provides 

 the artificial with all the organs — if in abnormal number 

 — with which the natural fly is furnished. Since the 

 natural fly, in its final metamorphosis, is possessed of 

 wings, these form part of the artificial also. If genius 

 be, indeed, an infinite capacity for taking pains, the 

 dry-fly fisher may claim its possession. He neglects 

 nothing likely to further his purpose, and is disappointed 

 if his counterfeit, as it rides lightly on the stream, is to 

 be distinguished — at a distance — from the natural flies 

 which bear it company on its way. 



He, however, does not confine himself to the floating 

 fly ; when it is contra-indicated by circumstances, he 

 has no hesitation in adopting, with a difference, the 

 methods of the wet-fly fisher, and angling with a sub- 

 merged lure. He is aware that when the trout are 

 " tailing," or " bulging," the dry-fly is passed over them 

 in vain, and that if he desires to take fish it is necessary 

 to change his tactics. He discards his winged fly and 

 arms his cast with a hackle, which he permits to sink. 

 The fish are feeding on the nymphse of flies rising 



