GNATS AND CRANE-FLIES. 23 



because the artificial so made, floats better as the herl 

 both holds oil and increases the buoyancy of the fly 

 by surface tension, exposing as it does innumerable 

 fine fibres of feather. Some fly fishers may be sur- 

 prised that the first chapter should be devoted to the 

 gnats ; but the reason for this is, that they are ubiquitous, 

 in the high mountain becks or tarns, on the water 

 meadows, by the reservoir, or lake, or wherever trout, 

 or other fish are to be caught, whereas many of the 

 other flies are locally abundant only. From the early 

 spring to the late autumn gnats may be found, and 

 a careful selection of artificial gnats of representative 

 colours will almost certainly provide a fly which will 

 give sport, be the conditions ever so fine, on the one 

 hand, or boisterous and rough on the other. 



The bodies of artificial gnats should be smooth and 

 banded, with a lighter or darker tinge in contrast to 

 the general colour. 



The wings of most gnats are quite insignificant, 

 and in dressing an imitation it is usual to make it as a 

 hacklefly only, but if desired, wings may be added, 

 using two fine whole cock hackle points for the 

 purpose ; those of a pure grey blue or with a slight 

 speckle are usually as near to nature as can be obtained. 



If the contents of the stomach of trout and grayling 

 be examined, many specimens of flies are found, but 

 very frequently thousands of gnats and gnat larvae are 

 the principal contents. 



If the fish are rising freely the fly should be used 

 dry, or at any rate fished near the surface ; if, on the 



