PREFACE. xi, 
almost a century ago. I also tender my cordial thanks 
to Mr. F. Francis and Mr. R. B. Marston, who have 
both of them been most kind in rendering me valuable 
assistance whenever I chose to apply for it, the first- 
named gentleman especially took great trouble in dis- 
covering the identity of several patterns, with which I 
was completely puzzled, owing to the ambiguity of some 
of the author’s expressions. 
The patterns of both Theakston and Jackson have 
long been considered as standard flies for'the Yorkshire 
rivers, especially on:the Yore and Wharfe. Jackson 
resided at Tanfield Mill, on the banks of the former 
river, about the year 1850, and here may still be found 
his old fishing hut, @ la Walton and Cotton, and a 
square stone slab with the inscription “ Amicitize et 
piscatoribus sacrum.” IJ have however tested most of 
their patterns upon other streams in Derbyshire, Staf- 
fordshire, and North Wales, and have invariably found 
them quite as seductive as the local flies. Owing to the 
streamy nature of the majority of the Yorkshire rivers, 
spider flies sparsely dressed generally answer the best, 
although there are certain conditions of water and 
weather when it will be found more profitable to employ 
a winged pattern at the end of a fine-drawn gut cast 
and floated dry, as in the Hampshire style. 
I consider myself that no higher compliment could 
have been paid to the former editions of this book than 
the opinion expressed by Mr. Francis in his ‘“ Book on 
Angling,” in which he characterizes it as “ Theakston’s 
capital little work on the streams about Ripon.” The 
