DIPTERA 69 



was, looked very dark if not black. These 

 the fish rose at regularly, but he let 

 several Olive Duns pass by unnoticed. 



The only Curses I had in my fly-box were 

 black ; and as those he was feeding upon 

 appeared to be black, I put one on my cast 

 and floated it over him several times. But 

 though he once took a natural Smut floating 

 within an inch of my fly, my fly he would 

 not take. 



I then went further down the bank and 

 caught some of the Smuts that were on the 

 water. They were of a mottled dun colour, 

 and the black effect was only produced by 

 their shadow or reflection (which I could 

 not determine) when they were on the 

 water. 



Of the flies in my box that which came 

 nearest in general effect to these Curses 

 was a green insect (dun hackle and peacock 

 herle body) tied on an 000 hook. This I 

 put on my cast and floated over him. He 

 rose to it, and as he rose I could see him 

 distinctly. When within a few inches of 

 my fly, however, he stopped short, turned 

 aside, and took a natural Smut that was 

 floating past. I tried him then with an 



