98 



THE TROUT. 



month in the year, is long since exploded, and although some 

 authors in England still arrange them according to the mouths, 

 it is found that they cannot be depended upon as a certainty. 

 Walton, one of the first authors who arranged them in this 

 manner, in his preface has these remarks : " That whereas 

 it is said by many, that m fly-fishing for trout, the Angler 

 must observe his twelve several flies for the twelve months 

 of the year ; I say, he that follows that rule shall be as sure 

 to catch fish, and be as wise as he that makes hay by the fair 

 days in an almanac, and no surer ; for those very flies that 

 used to appear about and on the water in one month of the 

 year, may, the following year, come almost a month sooner 

 or later, as the same year proves colder or hotter ; but for 

 the generality, three or four flies, neatly and rightly made, 

 and not too big, serve for a trout in most rivers all the sum- 

 mer ; and for winter, fly-fishing is as useful as an almanac out 

 of date.'' 



Barker gives his instructions in his favorite vein, thus : 



i 



" A brother of the angle must always be sped 

 With three black Palmers, and also three red ; 

 And all made with hackles. In a cloudy day 

 Or in windy weather, angle you may. 



" But morning and evening, if the day be bright; 

 And the chief point of all is to keep out of sight. 

 1 In the month of May, none but the May-fly, 

 For every month one,' is a pitiful lie. 



" The hawthorn-fly must be very small ; 

 And the sandy hog's-hair is, sure, best of all 

 (For the mallard-wing May-fly, and peacock's train, 

 Will look like the flesh-fly) to kill trout amain. 



" The oak -fly* is good if it have a brown wing, 

 So is the grasshopper, that in July doth sing; 



* The oak-fly is also known in England by the names of the ash-fly, 

 the woodcock fly, and the cannon, or downhill-fly. 



