126 



THE CHOICE OF A FLY. 



HATCH OF 

 FLIES. 



A Miss. If ? i n fishing a restricted water, where trout are 



large and not too plentiful, a good fish is risen and 

 missed, it is as well to have another cast with the 

 same fly ; if this is refused, change the fly to one of 

 about the same size but different in colour, and try 

 again in a few moments, this often has the desired 

 effect. 



When fishing a long stretch, of course, this may be 

 out of the question, but when a second rise is wanted 

 out of a fish, a different fly has a better chance than the 

 one which rose the fish on the first occasion. 



It is seldom that a good rise is on to any particular 

 pattern of fly until the original of that pattern has been 

 hatching for several days, the first few stragglers of any 

 hatch seldom causing a distinct rise to any given 

 pattern. It is only when the hatch of flies becomes 

 well developed that a general rise may be expected, or 

 that the artificial will be taken with any degree of 

 confidence. 



NUMBER. As to the number of flies to be used on a cast at 



one time in ordinary wet fly fishing, across and down 

 stream probably three is the best number. We cer- 

 tainly prefer this number to four, although in some 

 places four or even five are commonly used ; but the 

 disturbance of the water, the extra risk of catching 

 stones and other obstacles, as well as tangling the cast, 

 certainly do not compensate for any multiplying of 

 chances, which we look on as very doubtful. 



In upstream fishing, one fly, or two at most, should 

 be used. More are only a nuisance, disturbing the 



