AUGUST 207 



of seatrout or salmon is the result of 

 accidents. Each of the many standard 

 flies was a bow at a venture when first 

 designed. Not one was copied from 

 nature. Does this consideration take 

 away from enjoyment of the sport ? 

 Surely it does not. Rather, it enriches 

 the enjoyment. It is wonderful to think 

 that without the slightest guidance we 

 have designed many "flies" for which 

 the migratory fish show specific likings. 

 Of these likings, which are sometimes 

 asserted dramatically, there can be no 

 doubt whatever. One cannot always, it 

 is true, be sure that the fly one has chosen 

 is the best for the day ; but there are a 

 few rough general rules. Early in spring 

 and late in autumn the largest. flies are 

 appropriate. In summer the befitting 

 flies are small. When there is a chill 

 in the air and in the water flies with 

 silver bodies are attractive. When the 

 stream is low a sombre lure is the most 

 likely to succeed. When it is tinted by 

 flood water a gaudy one should be in 



