FISHING RODS AND FLIES. 27 
killing fly at times, particularly in blustering weather, is 
made of the following material: Body of two of the long- 
est and most rufous strands of a feather from a brown tur- 
key ; these strands to have the fingers pulled up them, so 
as to cause the fine edges to stand out before being wrap- 
ped on. Shoulder of brown cock’s hackle, with brown 
grouse feather for wing. In autumn, particularly if the 
stream should be clearing after a flood,.I have known this 
fly to be most effective. However, it is no bad plan, if you 
are a stranger in a neighborhood, to get hold of an honest 
disciple of Izaak Walton, who will give you information, 
and if he be poor very probably sell you some of the con- 
tents of his book. Except for sea-trout fishing, the brill- 
iant and many-colored macaw-like compositions are gen- 
erally useless’ in American inland streams; so let not love 
of gaudy coloring or the advice of inexperienced persons 
induce you to spend your time and money on such fabri- 
cations. 
We will suppose the novice accoutred with all that mon- 
ey and judgment can obtain in the shape of tackle and rod 
—at the same time hoping that his garments are composed 
of those sober, quiet colors that are least observable; for 
whether in shooting, deer-stalking, or fishing, attention to 
this is all important—to be on the river’s margin, at a spot 
free from bush, rock, or other impediment. The rod is 
carefully put together (I hope it is a spliced one, for I shall 
have more hope for the beginner’s ultimate success from 
this choice), the reel attached, the line drawn through the 
rings, and the cast and flies are carefully taken off his hat, 
round which they have been wrapped (to make them more 
subservient and less obstreperous on commencing work), 
and made fast to the line. Ere an attempt at the first cast 
is made, take one word of advice. Englishmen are so horsey 
in their proclivities that they invariably consider a rod, 
