98 
THE TROUT. 
month in the year, is long since exploded, and although some 
authors in England still arrange them according to the months, 
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 in fly-fishing for trout, the Angler 
must observe his twelve several flies for the twelve months 
of the year ; I say, lie that fidlows that rule shall be as sure 
to catch fish, and be as wise as ho 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 tho 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mer ; and for winter, fly-fishing is as useful as an almanac out 
of date.”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 : 
“ A brother of tho angle must always bo sped 
With threo black Palmers, and also throe 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. 
4 In tho month of May, none but the May-fly, 
For every mouth one,’ is a pitiful lie. 
44 Tho hawthorn-fly must be vory small ; 
And tho sandy hog’s-hair is, sure, best of all 
(For the mallard-wing May-fly, and peacock’s traiu, 
Win look like tho flesh-fly) to kill trout amain. 
“ The oak-fly* is good if it have a brown wing, 
So is tho grasshoppor, that in July doth sing; 
* Tho oak-fly is also known in F.nglund by tho ndmos of tho ash-Hf» 
the woodcock fly, and the cannon, or downhill-fly. 
I 
