74 ANGLING 



changed tlie flies on tMs account, with, a view of testing 

 the fact. That which seemed to be the favourite fly 

 was put on the stretcher, and an entirely difierent fly 

 mounted as the bob one ; and yet the result was just 

 the same : the latter became, apparently, the favourite 

 fly, and the stretcher was apparently neglected. 



This we feel confident arises solely from the mechanical 

 arrangement of the flies, and the manner in which the 

 line is thrown. The bob comes over the nose of the 

 fish first, and he takes it immediately, never calculating 

 on what may be behind him. We would therefore 

 advise all young anglers to pay strict attention to this 

 matter before they adopt any hasty conclusion as to the 

 preference which the fish may seem to give to any 

 particular fly. 



Three typical flies — one of a greenish-yellow, a brown, 

 and dark or black fly — are really all that are necessary 

 They must, however, be varied in size to suit different 

 streams. Those rivers which are frequently fished 

 require more neatly dressed and smaller flies than larger 

 rivers. The materials for these flies may be of the 

 simplest character. Red, black, and dun spiders may 

 be added. These may be chosen from what old 

 anglers would call a very homely bill of fare, which, 

 however, will be found to contain all necessary flies for 

 difierent waters. 



The Eed Hackle, and Red Palmee flies, on No. 6, 

 Limerick, will prove killing baits in all parts of the 

 kingdom, particularly in the early part of the season. 

 As summer advances, thg same flies, on hooks two sizes 

 less, will answer the purpose well ; if ribbed with gold 

 and tinsel, they will be still better in the months of May 

 and June. 



The Dotterel Hackle is a sure fly : the body made 

 of yellow silk, and the legs and wings of the feather of 

 the dotterel. The sizes of the hooks may vary from 6 

 to 10, according to the condition and clearness of the 

 water. 



A black cock's hackle body, with wings from the 

 woodcock's wing, on No. 6 or 8, will be very suitable 



