176 THE DRY-FLY MAN'S HANDBOOK 



wave is big ; bright clear^ sky, flies of greatest trans- 

 ^arency. Tinsel may also be used sparingly on the 

 lighter flies ; it is of no use with a dark heavy sky 

 as it produces no scintillations under these con- 

 ditions." 



" The small blacks, i, o, and oo sizes, with fine tinsel, 

 or lightly tinselled (the tinsel should be fresh and 

 brighi) may also be used in fine weather, but they 

 should be more sparsely hackled than the larger sizes, 

 which are used with a cloudy sky." 



" During a fall of red ants, o and oo red quills or 

 lightly hackled wickhams, and the oo lightly hackled 

 black palmer, will prove effective, possibly more so 

 than the usual so-called imitation of the red ant — as 

 ordinarily tied." 



" To those who are acquainted with dry-fly fishing, 

 as practised in the south of England, a word of 

 warning with regard to the tackle may not be out of 

 place, although there is nothing to prevent the usual 

 tackle being employed." 



" Beware of a heavy rod. Of necessity there is much 

 more casting to be done upon a loch than is usually 

 necessary in river fishing. A nine-feet rod is long 

 enough, and 5 to 6 oz. should cover its weight. The 

 reel also should be a light one, of not more than &^\ oz., 

 and the casting-line about thirteen drachms for 35 yd_ 

 length, with 50 to 60 yd. of fine, strong, undressed 

 silk backing, so that all told 12 to 13 oz. covers 

 the total weight of equipment." 



" Heavy fish must be played upon the butt of the rod 



