188 FISHING GOSSIP. 
the six and “seven pounders” of Kiltoomb! I will 
not assert that large trout never rise to this kind of 
fly in Irish lakes, for I know that they have done so. 
But the instances are so few and accidental that the 
exception in such cases proves the rule to the con- 
trary. The size, then, of the fly here intended for 
night-angling, is one or two sizes less than the ordi- 
nary salmon-fly, with which I presume all anglers are 
acquainted. The selection of the species or varieties 
of flies to be employed, though of much importance, 
is not so readily disposed of. Indeed a jury of Irish 
anglers themselves would, I fear, have to stand a 
long siege in the jury-room before giving a unani- — 
mous verdict on the subject. A general instruction 
must certainly suffice, where certainty is imprac- 
ticable. As a rule, the flies found to kill best by 
day will answer best by night. To describe the 
materials, the style of dressing, and other minutie 
of manipulation of even half-a-dozen of flies for this 
purpose, as such duty should be performed, would 
occupy more space than could be well devoted to the 
task in this place. I must therefore assume that the 
angler -is sufficiently acquainted with the water he 
fishes, and the flies suitable to it, to make his own selec- 
tion. His next step will be to mount the flies chosen 
on two foot-lines, one of which he attaches to his 
line ; the other, as a reserve cast, he winds round his 
hat. Ifan accident should occur, or a change of flies 
