FLY-FISHING. 485 



In fishing a place of this sort, cast carefully over into the stream, at 

 first only fishing the side you are on ; then, after that, wade in as far 

 as you can, cast as far over as possible into the dead water on the 

 other side of the stream, lifting your rod as high as you can, else the 

 current sweeps away your flies before the fish have time to hook at 

 them. 



I must not dismiss this part of my subject without saying a few 

 words respecting the flies in use for Pike and Black Bass. For the 

 former, the most successful fly I know of is made on a very large 

 hook — Codfish or Lake Trout size. It has a mouse-colored fur body, 

 with long, black, shiny hackle from. the cock's rump, with two large 

 eyes from the peacock's tail set on for wings. I have not the least 

 doubt, however, that a fly tied to represent a young duck or gosling 

 (if so be it can be called a fly) would be just as effective, to say 

 nothing of one like a mouse or a small water-rat. You must, how- 

 ever, use gimp instead of gut for them, and a shorter and stiffer rod. 

 For Bass, the fifteen-feet two-handed trout-rod seems best adapted ; 

 but I confess I have had no success in whipping for them, and there- 1 

 fore do not speak very confidently respecting the best flies. 



My only chance for fishing for them has been where there has not 

 been a sufficiency of current, which is a great desideratum, unless you 

 have a strong breeze. White Bass, however, rise well at almost any 

 moderate-sized trout-fly (proper), and at times — that is to say, when 

 they are in full run — you may by this means take a large number. 

 They are an active fish, and play well ; so that, with a light rod, you 

 can have very fine sport. 



Old General Gates, who served for many years in Canada, has often 

 said that the very best fly for them was composed of a strip of a sol- 

 dier's scarlet jacket wound on as body, long scarlet hackle for legs and 

 wings ; indeed, a feather from the scarlet-dyed plumes in the soldiers' 

 shakos of those days was what he used. 



I have seen a very beautiful fly from Conroy's ; the body of beautiful 

 rich crimson-scarlet velvet, with long fibre — or pile, 1 believe, the more 

 correct term is. The wings, of four feathers, two on each side, red fla- 

 mingo, or scarlet ibis inside, and a very pale barred mallard feather 

 outside. 



•„ I have no doubt but that the following flies would also answer well: 

 Golden pheasant crest, tail, broad gold tinsel ; scarlet or red hackle ; 



