66 VARIOUS FLIES— HYMENOPTERA, &c. 



Fig. 91 is the largest of the Spit Insects, or Frog 

 Hoppers. In the Autumn it jumps off the marginal 

 plants into the water in great numbers, and frequently 

 the fish rising along the edge, are quietly taking this fly. 



The only fly shown on this plate which has a true 

 aquatic history is the Alder Fly, and yet all the others 

 are continually met with at the waterside, and there 

 are slack times when considerable success may even 

 attend the use of an uncommon fly. 



There may be a north or east wind, or the hatch 

 of aquatic insects may be stopped by a fall of tempera- 

 ture, then the long shore insects, deprived of their 

 customary alertness and briskness by the cold and 

 lack of sunshine, are carried over and drop on to 

 the water, the fish being only too glad to supplement 

 their food supply with these unaccustomed dainties. 



The appearance of a strange insect on the water 

 immediately stimulates the curiosity of the fish, and if 

 an imitation is only really life-like, and offered in a 

 presentable manner, it will command a measure of 

 success. 



The Sockdolager, in his reedy haunts, has a know- 

 ledge of entomology, which puts to shame that of 

 most anglers, and no doubt considers himself a 

 connoisseur in the matter of insect dainties. 



One has only to lie hidden from view and feed an 

 old trout with different insects, and watch the judicial 

 air with which he takes the strange ones and gently 

 tastes them, to be convinced of this fact. 



It has seemed to me that as the Autumn comes on 



