158 THE "JOCK SCOTT" 



some few patterns are permitted and may be 



hopefully cast upon any waters. 



Prominent amongst these is the well-known 

 "Jock Scott," an excellent all-round fly which, 

 as a matter of fact, will kill fish the world over ; 

 and from this very fact, it may be, we shall 

 obtain a clue to at least part of the mystery. 



Possibly it may never have occurred to any- 

 one that the dominant colours embodied in 

 the "Jock Scott" are "warning colours"; not 

 only that, but warning colours of the deadliest 

 type. Yellow, or orange and black, is nature's 

 indication that the bearer is not only dis- 

 tasteful, but actually poisonous. All creatures 

 recognize these colours, and promptly reject 

 as food anything remotely approaching this 

 combination. " Warning colours " are inten- 

 tionally conspicuous in order to attract atten- 

 tion and so give timely notice of the quality of 

 the bearer. I fear, however, that this argu- 

 ment is by no means calculated to inspire hope 

 in the breast of the angler who, under the 

 belief that he is offering a dainty morsel for 

 the salmon's palate, presents a "Jock Scott" 

 to his notice. No, as food, it would certainly 

 be declined; but, it has the effect of attracting 

 the fish, which is the first step. 



Now we shall look at the matter from the 

 salmon's point of view, always supposing him 



