THE CHOICE OF A FLY. 125 



But in using too small a hook many fish are missed Small 

 and others lost owing to the hook losing hold, although Hooks. 

 apparently firmly embedded after the rise. 



Frequently, quite half a dozen species of flies 

 will be found on the water at one time. Then careful 

 observation will usually detect that one is being 

 taken in preference to the others. 



At the same time, the old adage, " Bright day. Colour. 

 bright fly ; dull day, dull fly," if borne in mind, will 

 help towards a useful choice in the matter. 



For thin, clear water, flies cannot be dressed too Uressl\g. 

 sparsely, or too thin In the body ; an almost bare hook 

 doing better than an overdressed one. 



In deeper or heavier waters this is not so important, 

 as too thin a fly does not show well enough to be 

 attractive. 



If fish are rising short, or coming to the fly and 

 then turning away without taking hold, it is a sign that 

 the colour is right but the size is wrong, and a change 

 to one similar in colour but smaller, will frequently 

 meet with success. 



For late evening or night fishing, however, this is Thick 

 reversed. The most killing flies are then mostly Bodies. 

 heavy and woolly in the bodies, as might be expected — 

 as most nocturnal flies have thick hairy bodies, par- 

 ticularly as the warm weather comes on. Early in 

 the season much smaller flies are useful at nieht than Night. 



o 



later on, contrary to the rule, with regard to the size 

 of flies used during the day. 



