DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FLIES. 29 



It is a very perfect little insect, and very beautiful to look 

 at when it reaches the surface of the water, newly hatched. 

 The male fly has a distinct crown of orange, or brownish 

 red, which is also visible in the female, though not to an 

 equal extent. The dark watchet is one of the daintiest 

 morsels with which you can tempt a trout, and one of the 

 most difficult to imitate satisfactorily. 



Flies on Plate 5. 



No. 22. DARK SPANISH NEEDLE (Needle Brown}. Hook O 

 WlNGS. Hackled with a feather from the darkest part of 



a Brown Owl's wing. 

 BODY. Orange silk. 

 HEAD. Peacock herl. 



A good standard fly all through the season ; but the 

 natural insect cannot be imitated as a winged fly with any 

 approach to a similitude to nature, owing to its diminutive 

 size and the peculiar situation of its wings. Trout will 

 often take it when few other flies will kill ; the natural 

 fly is most plentiful on the water on days with flying clouds 

 and fitful bursts of sunshine, with a cold wind blowing 

 underneath. Ronalds does not mention it. It is, however, 

 a favourite in Yorkshire, particularly on the Rye, the Ure, 

 and the Wharfe. It is often a capital killer on damp, close 

 days in September, and will be found very useful as a 

 grayling fly as far on as the beginning of December. The 

 name " Needle " was probably given to it owing to the 

 peculiar steely shade visible on the wings. 



No. 23. LIGHT SPANISH NEEDLE. Hook O. 

 WlNGS. Hackled with a feather from inside a Jack-Snipe's 

 wing, or from the breast of a young Starling. 

 BODY. Crimson silk. 

 HEAD. Peacock herl. 



