<**r^JP I J ■jj*****?" m BERKEICV GENERAL LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA I J9 ■s- C /^ L. H> / *,<^ /?s^l^- ^~^< L f/u + ~%H 7$Cka\ fiMA^-tC- 7tm * r/* a i/w-ruw ^^R.a j Lt/isr^ rr ' ♦ : v * ■*p . » V ^ / ,, Cr ^ ■/ '"* iv-;. * S »* % •' ;-•• v> & * J5* t V> *~* «, Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/flyfishersguideiOObainrich THE dPl£ $i£f)tx y & <&ttttre, ILLUSTRATED BY COLOURED PLATES, REPRESENTING UPWARDS OF FORTY OF THE MOST USEFUL 7M18 8 glccuratdg <£opub from Mature. BY GEO. C. BAINBRIDGE. And lightly on the dimpling eddy fling The hypocritic fly's unruffled wing. THE ANGLERS, DU 3. Sfberpool: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY G. F. HARRIS'S WIDOW AND BROTHERS J And Sold by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Ormc, and Brown, London ; and Wright and Cruickshant, Liverpool. 1816. PBSVAGl, Custom having pronounced that a book is incomplete without a prefatory introduction, it might savour of arrogance if the tribute were wit held in the present instance, although to a novice the task of complying with this injunction is not a little embarrassing. In order to explain the motives which directed the intrusion of the following pages upon the public, it may be necessary to pre- mise that desire of fame, or expectation of profit, was not amo?igst the number. A wish that every lover of the Angle should partici- pate in the advantages to be derived from M846468 IV a constant reference to the representations of the Insects, on which his diversion so mate- rially depends; and, the hopt that from this humble attempt the idea of a complete ivork on Water Insects would suggest itself to some person more capable of the undertaking, induced the writer to publish his Observa- tions on Angling, and Specimens of Flies, which were originally only intended for private inspection. The insignificant light in which publica- tions of this nature are generally held by the Literati, and the indifference with which they are so often treated by those who have no inclination for rural sports, may probably screen this treatise from the lash of the critic. And as it is the wish of the Author that it should be disseminated amongst Friends only, (for as such he has been accustomed to consider every brother of the Angle) he throws himself upon their good nature for lenity in criticism ivhere they disapprove, and for candour in approbation should any portion of the matter be in unison with their own ideas, or contribute in any wise to their success. Relying upon which, he has the honour to subscribe himself Their most obedient humble servant, G. G. B. Liverpool, 1st March, 1816* ^afik of Gtonttnts. Page Of the advantages of Fly Fishing 1 Of the Materials used in Fly Fishing 7 Of the Rod 13 Of Lines 21 Of Hooks 28 Of Gut and Weed 33 Of the Reel 36 Of the Pannier 39 Of Pocket Books 40 Description of the mode of Tying Flies 42 Rules to be observed in Angling 51 Proper Seasons and Times for Angling 60 Of the Salmon « % 64 Of the Trout 76 Of the Gravel Fry 80 Of the Grayling, or Umber 82 Of the Graining 85 Of the Gray Mullet 87 Of the Chuby Clievin, or Chavinder 89 Of the Bleak 90 Vlll Of the Roach, and the Dace Dare or Showier ^ Description of Salmon Flies, in plate 3 . — ■ Trout Flies, in plate 4 • ""— Ditto, in plate 5 • ' -Ditto, in plate 6 . 1 Ditto, in plate 7 • " Ditto, in plate 8 • Of the Moths, for Night Fishing Method of preserving Gentles Of Ground Fishing with a Running Line Of Trolling, or Minnow Fishing • 96 103 112 119 124 133 142 144 145 147 OF IFJLY IF I S IH K H ® AND ITS ADVANTAGES. F the superiority which this parti- cular branch of Angling possess- es over every other method, so many persons have written at length, and its merits have been so generally acknowledged by ail who have had the opportunities of discriminating, that to enter diffusively into the particular advantages which distinguish it would be superfluous, and by no means in conformity with the intentions of the compiler. It may, however, be necessary to point out a few of the leading characteristics which combine to render this delightful re- creation so pre-eminent amongst Rural Sports ; and in the course of the work to connect a few observations, in order to con- fute the objections which prejudiced persons are but too apt to bring forward in opposi- tion to the gratifying pleasures which admi- rers of this pursuit so justly exhibit in a warm tone of colouring. Without referring to the antiquity of the art, as a recommendation, or enumerat- ing the catalogue of virtuous qualities, such as patience, perseverance, 8cc, of which an Angler is supposed to be possessed, it is simply necessary to observe, that many very eminent and learned characters have 4 devoted much of their leisure time to this agreeable recreation ; and it is a fact worthy of notice, that although many persons / 6- have quitted other sports for the amuse- ment of Fly Fishing, yet the memory of the writer does not furnish a single instance of a Fly Fisher deserting his occupation, and transferring his preference to any other of the list of Rural Sports : this observation is very general, and is certainly a strong argument in favour of the superior plea- sure which Angling affords. The peculiar and almost immediate relief which this innocent pursuit yields to the dis- tressed or uneasy mind, by calming the per- turbations which misfortunes or other vexa- tious circumstances may have excited, is to be ranked amongst the first of its recommenda- tions. But as this relief is also experienced in some degree by the practiser of other modes of Angling, it may not be considered precisely correct to class it amongst the advantages of Fly Fishing. To proceed therefore to those observations, upon which the claim of superiority is founded. The first which pre- sents itself is exercise. The Fly Fisher is in constant motion, and travels several miles whilst practising his art : whereas the ground Angler remains in a state of inac- tivity, on the banks of some unwholesome pool ; exposed to the damp air, and liable, from the want of exertion, to the attacks of ague and rheumatism, either of which will disable him for a considerable time, if not altogether, from pursuing his favourite occupation. The beautiful and varied scenery which at each turn of the river is presented to the eye of the Fly Fisher is an inducement sufficiently attractive to make converts of the most sceptical, if they be not wholly indif- ferent to the beauties of nature. The course of a river being generally through the most romantic part of a country, the variety which occurs in following the stream for a few miles, aided by the diversion which the rod affords, cannot fail to gratify the admirer of fine scenery in the highest de- gree. The dull monotony which attends the ff round Angler, should his mind not be constantly engaged by the avidity of the finny tribe, is here avoided: whilst the Fly Fisher will frequently return home, grati- fied with the delights which his walk has afforded ; even though he may not have been so successful in storing his pannier as he had anticipated. The pleasure which the Angler derives from collecting and arranging the various materials necessary for the formation of the artificial Fly, and from the endeavour! to approach the form and colours of nature, by the aid of these materials, is infinitely ereater than can be conceived by an indif- ferent observer, and offers a constant em- ployment for those leisure hours, which in unfavourable weather might otherwise hang heavy, and by not being agreeably occupied lead to the introduction of that most disa- greeable companion — ennui. Cheapness has been always urged in favour of Angling ; and certain it is, that no other amusement can be procured at such an easy rate; for it is within the reach of the humblest individual. In addition to the foregoing advantages, that of cleanliness must not be omitted. How greatly preferable is the simple forma- tion of an artificial fly of feathers and fur, to the unpleasantness attendant upon baiting a hook with worm, maggot or paste. The one will last during the diversion of a whole day, and with care much longer; whilst the other requires adjusting or renewing, after every trifling nibble ; to say nothing of the cruelty which attaches to the intro- duction of a hook into the worm whilst living, or the extraction of a s;oro;ed hook from the entrails of a ravenous fish. Such indeed are the pleasures and advan- tages derived from this mode of Angling, that some of our best modern poets have considered its praises as worthy "their talents and attention. Vide Thomson, gay, arm- strong, waller, Sec. OF USED IN FLY FISHING. Having set forth a few of the prominent recommendations of the art, it remains to conduct the reader, if an admirer of the pursuit, to the practical system; which having been founded upon the experience 8 and observation of several years, may not be altogether uninstructive or uninterestino-. The articles necessary for the Fly Fisher to be furnished with consist of rods, LINES, REELS Or WINCHES, SILK-WORM gut, hooks; a variety of feathers of every hue, from the most gaudy to the most dusky tinge; silks of various shades; hackles from the neck and back of the domestic cock or hen; wings of many birds, but most particularly of the Bittern, Grouse, Woodcock, Partridge, Snipe, Land- rail, Golden Plover, and Starling. Furs of every colour; amongst the most useful of which will be found the skins of Squirrels, Moles, Water-rats, Hare's ears, and fur from the neck of the same animal ; Bear's hair, and Hog's down, (which will take a dye of any shade.) The light yellow fur from the neck of the Martin is also very valuable, but not easily to be obtained in the northern counties. Camlets and mohair of every hue, the latfcr being serviceable in almost all ilics, inasmuch as it prevents the camlet or fur. with which it is commonly mixed, from imbibing so great a decree of mois- ture as it would otherwise do; by which means, also, the Hy becomes more durable ; and the flossy shining qualities, which mohair retains even in the water, will in many instances approach nearer to the appearance of the natural fly than any other substitute. The Hackles most in estimation are the duns light and dark; both of which, but particularly the former, are difficult to be met with perfectly free from grizzle. The red with black stripe down the middle is by no means common: next to these, m point of utility, is the red with black root, which is generally substituted when the former cannot be procured. Rhck hackles are of 10 late become more common than formerly, by the introduction of a breed of Spanish fowls, which are perfectly black, except the topping of the head. The proper time of the year for the selection and pluck- ing of hackles is about Christmas ; as the feathers are then perfect and free from that disagreeable matter, which at other times is generally found in the pen part of the feather. Should the Angler be so fortunate as to meet with a real dun bird, either cock or hen, he ought to secure it at any price, as he may be considered as possess- ing a treasure ; for the same fowl will fur- nish him with grizzled hackles about May, and dun hackles at Christmas. The fea- thers from young birds before they have moulted are entirely useless, being too soft to play properly in' the water. The mottled bright feather from the back of a well grown Grouse, and the Wren's tail, are on no account to be neglected. 11 Of silks it will be necessary to have three degrees of strength, and as many varieties of shade as the fly dresser may deem necessary for his purpose. The first, which is commonly denominated strong barber's silk, must be used double, for splice- ing the tops of rods. The second of a finer quality, for fastening the rings to the rod, and other casualties. The third, for whipping hooks and dressing flies, should be the finest netting; silk : it is difficult to meet with the latter of a sufficiently delicate texture in any towns far distant from the metropolis. Mr. Clark, of the Golden Leg, Southampton-street, furnishes every shade and colour which can possibly be required, at a reasonable rate. Ostrich and peacock harls are also indispensable requisites : the former of every possible colour is useful in flies for Salmon fishing; and the latter is very frequently 12 used for Trout flies also, as in the Marlow buzz, Oil fly, 8cc. In addition to the foregoing, the following articles are necessary for the completion of the Angler's apparatus, A Landing Net, having a ferrule at the lower end, in which a < gaff or hook necessary for landing a large fish may be fastened at pleasure : the net should be from eighteen inches to two feet in diame- ter, and fixed either to an ash, briar, or light iron hoop. If the banks of the river be steep, this article is very useful ; but when gravel patches, or shelving shores are fre- quent, it is seldom called into action. The gaff or hook may be carried in the pocket with safety, and the point preserved by means of a cork. A pair of small neat pliars is of great assistance in dressing flies, and a pair of fine pointed scissaus absolutely necessary; 13 needles for picking out the clubbing ; wax for the silk; and a pannier with abroad leather strap to fasten on the shoulder, so that the fish may be carried with safety, and free from injury, close the list of neces- saries ; and as a few hints respecting the selec- tion of the various articles may not be al- together unacceptable, they will be severally mentioned in regular order. The rod first claims notice as occupvin^ the foremost place in the catalogue of implements : in the choice of which every care and attention must be exercised. Rods are made up in various manners, and of divers lengths and weights. Some prefer them "of two pieces only, which are spliced together about the middle. These certainlv throw a fly in a neater manner than those encumbered with ferrules can possibly do ; as the spring from the hand is uninterrupted, consequently more regular ; and they are 14 admirably adapted for the use of an Angler whose residence is near the scene of his diversion : but the awkwardness of length renders them troublesome and unwieldy companions, when a walk of some miles intervenes between the river and the Angler's dwelling. This description of rod is in general use in the northern counties of Eng- land, where ferrules are considered very objectionable. The length and weight of the rod depend so much upon the fancy of the purchaser, that no positive rules can be laid down to guide him in these respects. The common length of a Trout rod is from twelve to fourteen feet ; some persons prefer them even longer ; but for the generality of streams the latter is quite sufficient, and for small rivers and brooks the former is much tKe most convenient and useful size. - * / /^, V ^^r J ^ . A , / • V 4 /"-' <~ A / -*t?- ( 5 /-*— ^^x»- ^ -^ > ^v^ y^L,^ y~-^ . . CLt^ drv 15 For Salmon fishing a greater length, ex- tending to seventeen or eighteen feet, and of proportionate strength, will enable the lover of this superior diversion to throw a greater extent of strong tackle than the common rods will admit of his doing. The chief consideration in the choice of a rod, for whatever purpose it may be in- tended, is, that it be free from knots or cracks, and that it be regularly taper and pliant from the butt to the point ; for if the spring be not regular from one extremity to the other, the check which the defective part causes will severely strain, if it do not actu- ally break the piece. By the term pliant, it is not meant that the rod should be as lim- ber and flexible as a cart whip, which ex- treme ouo;ht as carefully to be guarded against as too great stubbornness ; but that it should play easily, and that the bend be slightly perceptible even in the bottom or 16 butt end. In this, however, as well as in the number of joints of which he may wish the rod to consist, the Angler will best consult his own judgment and inclination, which can hardly fail to be satisfied at some of the tackle shops in the metropolis; where an endless variety of every description, which imagination or caprice may require, will be offered to hisjnspection. The best rods which the writer has hitherto met with are manufactured and sold by Henry Swann, of Langholm, North Bri- tain. They consist of five pieces, and have screw joints at each ferrule, which is particu- larly desirable, as they always set true ; and should the weather or accident wet them, the difficulty of separating the joints, which in common rods such a circumstance causes to swell considerably, is avoided. An improvement may nevertheless be 17 pointed out in these rods ; viz. to have the top joint spliced to the fourth piece, with- out any ferrule. A rod of this description with two spare tops, which originally cost only eighteen shillings, is, after the constant use of nearly nine years, in every respect as good as new, having in that interval been merely varnished twice. To those persons who reside at a distance from the metropolis, or have no mechanic at hand to repair the accidents which may from time to time happen to these imple- ments, a description of the materials and manner of forming a rod may be useful ; indeed, a true Angler ought to be able, if not to manufacture, at least to repair his own rods, lines, reels, 8cc. as he will otherwise be frequently exposed to great inconvenience from the numerous and unforeseen accidents to which the practiser of this diversion is constantly liable. c 18 The best rods are made from ash, hickory, and lancewood; ash for the bottom piece, hickory for the middle, and lancewood for the top joints : real bamboo is preferable to lancewood, if it can be procured of good quality, which is extremely difficult: log- wood is sometimes used for the tops, and answers extremely well for Salmon or trol- ling * ods ; but this wood is not frequently to be met with of straight grain in pieces of sufficient length for rods; but if it should be, it is not equal in elasticity to well seasoned lancewood. Rose wood, and a wood from the Brazils, called partridge wood, may also be made use of for top pieces ; but yew and briars do not answer the purpose, although frequently recommended by experimenters. Before wood of any description is cut into lengths it should be perfectly seasoned ; and whatever number of pieces the rod is to be composed of between the butt and top piece k£> '■ r^/: -3 O, <^7 2 / . < -^ /vat <- ~ A- >w^..JlO JLiX^ /zsz^&{L 19 they must all be cut from the same log ; and not as is too frequently done, the second part from one piece of wood, the third from another, and so on ; which not having under- gone the same degrees of seasoning, will never play regularly in the hand. The first proceeding towards the forma- tion of a rod is to plane each length into a four square ; afterwards, by means of a taper wooden sett, into an octagon. They are then to be rounded with a common smooth- ing-plane, and finished with different sized hollow planes. The ferrules are to be fitted on whilst the joints are in the octagon form. In the formation of a splice both pieces should be fixed firmly parallel ; by which means, if they be drawn steadily over the plane together, the joint must prove true ; they are then to be slightly rubbed with wax or glue, and neatly fastened with silk, and 20 the waxed parts rubbed with a smooth chisel, previously to being varnished. The rings must be placed in a regular line, and ought to diminish in size as gradu- ally as the rod tapers : they are easily made by twisting a piece of soft brass wire round a tobacco pipe, and fastened together with hard solder. The extreme end of the top piece is com- monly of whalebone ; and the error of putting too great a length of this material is but too frequent. A very short piece, say of the length f four or five inches, is suffi- cient; this is generally finished up with a Jile, any sharp instrument being liable to take it off in irregular flakes. In this state it only remains to varnish the rod, which is best effected by copal varnish, or Indian rubber dissolved over a slow fire in 21 ' linseed- oil. If a stain be required, nitric acid, or oil of vitriol will produce a brown colour, the acid being diluted according to the shade required. To preserve rods after use, let them be well rubbed with salad oil or tallow, and kept in a moderately dry place until the return of the Angling season ; when, after being carefully wiped, they will be found in excel- lent order. If the bottom piece be bored for the purpose of receiving a spare top, the inside should be oiled by means of a piece of rag fastened to the end of a stick. ©IP ILIM31§* The lines for Reels are to be purchased of every length from fifteen to one hundred and twenty yards, or even longer, at the tackle shops throughout the kingdom, and 22 at a much cheaper rate than a private indi- vidual can manufacture them, if his time and trouble are to be considered of any value. But as motives of curiosity may induce some of the readers of this treatise to try their skill in this art, an explana- tion of the necessary process will be here attempted. These lines are most generally composed of a mixture of silk and hair, and as before observed, are spun of various lengths. For common Trout fishing in rivers, twenty to twenty five yards are sufficient; for lakes where the fish are large, and a boat is not used, forty to fifty yards may be required; and for Salmon in large rivers, eighty or even a hundred will not be too great a quantity. Single handed rod fishers prefer their reel lines to run taper to the point, so that they 23 may, by merely fixing their foot length of gut to the line, wind it up close to their hand ; and where the stream is narrow and bushes frequent, this is certainly a good plan. But, for bold streams, the reel line should be of equal thickness throughout, and not too fine, in order that a taper hair line of ten yards in length may be attached thereto. The most important consideration in the making; of lines is the selection of the hair, which must be round, even, and free from scales. If plucked from the tail of a young horse or mare, it is not so good as that which is to be procured from a four or five year old gelding ; but the best is to be had from the tail of a well grown stallion, and those hairs are generally most free from blemish which grow from the middle of the tail. Black, although t*he strongest, is the least serviceable colour; brown, gray, and white, 24 are to be preferred, and ought to be picked with care, and assorted according to theii different degrees of length and thickness. For common foot lines an engine is not necessary, as they are easily made by separat- ing the hairs with the fore finger and thumb of the left hand, (having first fastened them by a knot) and twisting them with the right, occasionally drawing the hand downwards to prevent the untwisted hairs from entang- ling. Taper lines of any length or thick- ness, from two hairs upwards, may be thus put together, fastening each length of hair to its companion by a water knot, the ends of which should be cut close, and secured by a little waxed silk. When a very strong line is required, it may be adviseable to make use of the twisting-engine, which will enable the practitioner to com- plete his purpose more readily and eflectu- r ally than with the fingers only. 25 The twisting engine which has been here mentioned is used in making reel lines free from knots, and may be had at almost all the tackle shops; or may be easily made by any ingenious watch-maker or white-smith with very slight directions. It is a small brass box containing four wheels, three of which are of small dimensions; the other is of larger size, and has a handle. The axis of each of these wheels is protruded from the plates of the box on both sides, and is hollow. This instrument may be screwed into the back of a chair or other substance, in such a manner, that the operator may employ his hands both before and behind the engine, which bears a reduced resem- blance to the w r heels used by rope-makers. It is necessary then to procure three balls of barber's yellow silk, somewhat longer than the line is intended to be made ; and before fastening them to the respective tubes, due notice must be taken that the silk is so placed, 26 as to prevent its being untwisted by the action of the instrument ; for should one of the threads be improperly placed, it will require an encreased degree of labour, and a neat line can never be produced. The hairs, in proportion to the thickness of the line required, must next be intro- duced by means of small quills into the tubes, and twisted (perhaps two or more) with each end of the silk ; when these lengths are twisted in, the quills must be taken out, and the tubes again fed with hair ; and so on, until the whole of the silk be unwound from the balls. It is necessary to observe that the hairs should be of unequal length when introduced ; otherwise, should it, after the commencement, be necessary to put in two hairs at one time, the line will be clumsy and uneven. By immersing the hair for about ten 27 minutes in water, before using, it will spin much better than if used quite drv. The mode of chusing it, by trying or pul- ling, cannot be too much censured ; as the hair will beyond a doubt resume its original form, and thereby raise knots which will render the line irregular, and liable to be easily broken. Besides the engine before described, there is another of a simpler form, which answers very well for short lengths when a knot is used, and is much more easily managed, as it merely requires the silk or hair to be fas- tened to the iron hooks in front, and then twisted together. The same recipes will answer for staining hair which are used for silk-worm gut ; but natural colours always claim the preference, and care must be taken not to allow cil to ap- proach the hair, as it infallibly causes it to rot. 28 ©IF IH®®I£§* Hooks are manufactured of different forms, and are usually distinguished by the names of The Limerick, The Sneckbend, The Kendal, The Kirby. Of these varieties a representation has been attempted. Vide plate h. fig. 1, % 3, 4. Although generally considered of minor importance by a number of Anglers, who are satisfied if they procure the size they want, no part of their apparatus requires more minute attention than these small implements, on which success certainly, in a great measure, depends. It is necessary to have the hooks perfectly tempered ; that is, of such a degree of firmness, that they will 29 not bend, and yet not so hard as to snap readily. The best method of ascertaining whether or not the hooks be properly tem- pered, is to try them in a piece of cork ; or for the points only, the thumb nail is sufficient. Most writers on the subject of Anglino- mention a small whetstone as a necessary appendage for sharpening the points of the hooks ! but a fly ought never to be dressed upon a hook which has not a good point; and if upon fair trial the point fail, the hooks are of bad quality, and should be altogether rejected. Hooks for dressino- flies upon are to be preferred, if the shank taper towards the head, which adds greatly to the neatness of the workmanship. The limerick hooks are not usually straight, but form a curve, like the division of an intersected circle. This form is cer- 30 tainly objectionable, and will frequently, in striking a fish, be drawn from its mouth without fixing the barb, as may be readily conceived by an inspection of the plate : add to which, the barb projects from the point too abruptly ; which, if the fish do not rise very freely, will prove a source of mortification to the Angler, as he will fre- quently scratch their mouths, without firmly hooking a single fin. The common kendal hooks are of good form, but the distance of the extreme point from the barb is for the most part too great ; neither do the barbs project sufficiently. In many instances these hooks may be found so nearly resembling a bent pin, that they may be introduced into the fleshy part of the hand, and drawn back, without inflicting pain. How T then can they be expected successfully to resist the active exertions of an irritated Trout, struggling for liberty in its 31 own element, which the want of a proper barb tends to render easily attainable by enlarging the orifice, instead of securing to the Angler the anticipated prize ? The sneckbend, as it is commonly called, diverges from the parallel lines from the bend upwards, and the point is frequently near an eighth of an inch to the right or left of the shank of the hook. By some persons this form is preferred, but their judgment is certainly erroneous ; for it frequently happens that the fish discovers the deceit, or in rising short, misses the artificial fly ; the Angler very naturally strikes at that instant, and will very often scratch the fish, owing entirely to the lateral projection of the barb, which, if it were level with the shank, would almost invariably be avoided. 32 The straight kirby hooks approach the desideratum, in shape and temper, nearer than any other manufacture ; (vide plate ii. fig. 4) unless the Kendal hooks could be improved in the form of the barb, and divested of the superfluous length of point ; in which ease they would be upon an equal footing. These remarks will probably meet with opposition from prejudiced Anglers, some of whom may be deemed skilful in the art; but, as they have not been hastily or par- tially framed, it is hoped the beginner will profit by adopting them, in preference to the partialities which habit may have ren- dered familiar to those who have practised for years. J OF ©HJT AM® WEBBBB. The directions which are necessary for chusing these materials are very simple. Those lengths are most to be preferred which are bright, round, hard, white, and even or of equal circumference. For discoloured water it may be necessary to stain the gut ; but in clear water, ocular demonstration will prove that white is the least perceptible colour: a few recipes for staining different shades will, however, be attached to this article. For beginners, or where the fish are of large size, gut is preferable to hair, as afford- ing greater security; but in fine bright waters, a good round single hair will manifest a decided superiority in raising fish ; and the .34 delicate skill required for the management of them when hooked enhances the plea- sure of the experienced practitioner. Indian weed is sometimes recommended to the Fly fisher; but its extreme brittleness is a great objection, as it requires at least an hour's soaking before it becomes sufficiently elastic for use. The following methods of staining gut were given to the author as choice and valu- able recipes, and their efficacy is indispu- table ; but as they are to be found in Taylor's Art of Angling, and the Driffield Angler, their claim to originality falls to the ground. For a brown. — Boil pounded alum until it dissolves, add a quantity of walnut tree bark when the sap is up, or the nuts of the same tree whilst in the green state ; boil them ** v. 1~> /**■ 7 / - J~- *-:?- Z^ **&^~&l'^ -'/ *-^-yzy&~*te*7^ '7 , ^^C -^V^w ^^f^c^L^^ .A:. / V X *C « '" r 4-?cy^ //St-^?— rz^fz-**- ^a,-~ /t-/^^ d t^Juu^ out A^l* ^ ^ ^ <* > 35 together for nearly an hour, and let the liquid stand until nearly cool; skim it, and put in the gut or hair for about a minute, until you perceive that it has imbibed the colour intended. If it remain lono- it will be tinged too deeply, and the gut will become rotten. For a pale watery green. — To a pint of strong ale add half a pound of soot, a small quantity of walnut leaves, and a little alum ; boil them together for about three quarters of an hour, and when nearly cold put in the gut or hair. The following recipes have not been made so generally public, but are much more simple, and equally effectual with the fore- going: viz. Stain your gut in strong tea lukewarm, with the addition of a small quantity of 36 logwood scrapings, for twenty- four hours, and it will be an excellent colour ; or ano- ther equally common beverage, Coffee will, if made strong, by the assistance of a little alum, impart a fine brown colour to the gut or hair. ©IF MIE IB SIBIL. Although the multiplying reel is now in general use, the advantages which are set forth in its favour are more than counter- balanced by the frequent disappointment which the Angler is liable to from its imper- fections. The fact is that the power of the wheels, as now arranged, is inadequate to move a comparatively small weight at a tri- fling distance. To be convinced of the truth of this observation, it is simply necessary to fasten a piece of wood of a couple of pounds weight to the end of a reel line, and throw 37 it into the water, letting the line run out to a distance of twenty yards down a stream. On winding up the line, the person who tries the experiment will be annoyed by the Frequent stopping or catching of the wheels, as if the cogs were choked up ; and it will not be without considerable difficulty that he succeeds in accomplishing his object. With respect to greater weights, when sup- ported by animated resistance, it will be found almost impossible to succeed ; and should a Salmon of tolerable size be hooked, and the line be attached to a multiplying reel, it will require the utmost skill and attention of the Angler, by occasionally drawing up the line with his left hand, and then winding it, to secure the fish ; and this is the only remedy he has, for should he rely upon his reel, and persist in forcing the wheels round, the main pillar or support of the engine will certainly break, and leave him to ruminate upon his rashness. 3a On the other hand, the common plain pillar reels bear an even and steady pull upon the extreme weight, and though more tedi- ous, they are more to be depended upon for certainty and security. The multiplying reels possess the advan- tage of winding up, and letting out the line with greater despatch ; and where the fish do not exceed half a pound in weight, they may be preferable ; but a few seconds of time are not an object of consideration to the steady Angler, whose chief reliance is on the firmness and correct formation of his tackle. An improvement in tiie principle of mul- tiplying reels might be easily suggested, which would negative the objections before mentioned; and it is certainly surprising that they have not hitherto claimed the notice and attention of some ingenious me- 39 chanfc, as their defects are almost universally complained of. Some reels are fastened to the rods by means of nails, which is the most secure method ; hut, for the Angler who travels, they are made with a long hollow groove, which is fastened to the butt of the rod by two pieces of leather, passing over both ends of the brass groove : others have a rinse at- tached to them, which is intended to be lined with leather, and passed over the point to the handle of the rod, where it is made fast by means of a screw. This latter mode is the least troublesome, and is perfectly secure. OF TEID PANNIER. The Fishing Pannier should he of neat light wicker work, broad at the bottom, and 40 narrowing towards the top, where the lid is fastened by means of a padlock, or wooden peg secured to the body of the basket by a piece of tape : the aperture in the top o£ the basket ousht to be sufficiently laro;e to admit, without the slightest decree of force or pressure, a Trout of half a pound weight. For Salmon fishers they are sometimes made of a different form, with ends projecting from the main body of the pannier, and so shaped as to contain a tolerably well grown fish at full length. ©IP !B®®IKS* Every Angler ought to be furnished with at least two pocket books. The one for con- taining his flies is composed of parchment, the leaves of which are separated at each corner by pieces of cork, so that the flies may be preserved from injury. The other 41 for holding an assortment of every material necessary for dressing a fly is commonly made to suit the fancy of the proprietor, but should consist of numerous divisions ; so that the hooks, hackles, furs, wings, and dubbings may be kept asunder, and yet so easily accessible, that the materials wanted may be found without delay. In addition to the books, an Angler resident near a river, who has the opportu- nity of gratifying his inclination for this pursuit as often as he pleases, should have a small cabinet of drawers in which he may keep his furs, wings, 8cc. separate ; for the constant additions which a provident fly fisher is continually making to his stock will soon render a book of little use. In one of the drawers should be fixed neat wooden rollers, for winding the various coloured silks upon; another should have divisions for hooks of different sizes; and the whole 42 ought to be formed of cedar wood, which, aided by the introduction of camphire, all- spice, alum, and tobacco leaves, will effec- tually preserve the feathers and skins from the injurious devastation of the moths ; for without these precautions, the incessant at- tacks of these destructive insects would soon render the collection entirelv useless. OF TYING OR IBKIESSIHQ 1FM Having enumerated and described the ma- terials separately, the next object will be to treat of them collectively, as applicable to the purposes of the Angler, to whom nothing is of more importance than correctness in the size and colours, and neatness in the ^jl^vhtje 2- 43 formation of the artificial fly, which will therefore first claim attention. Whether a common hackle, or a clubbed winged ily is to be manufactured, it is inva- riably necessary to have the whole of the materials which are to compose the imita- tions properly adjusted previous to the com- mencement of the operation. — 1st. The Hackles stripped, or divested of the soft downy feathers which grow nearest the root, and turned back ready for twisting on the hook; see plate 11. fig. 7 8c 8- — 2d, The Gut carefully examined, and trjed by mode- rately pulling it in proportion to the weight expected to be held by it. This precaution will frequently save the Angler much dis- appointment,* by discovering defects not ap- parent to the eye. — 3d. The I> o- perly mixed to the exact colour of the body of the natural fly, a small proportion of which should be moistened, and held up to 44 the light ; for the camlets and furs, when wet, generally become several shades darker than when in a dry state, and in some in- stances assume a totally different hue. — 4th. The Silk well waxed with a colour lighter than the body of the fly, and a hook cau- tiously tried as to temper, and prudently selected as to size. — 5th. The Winers must be stripped from the feathers by an even but sudden pull, and for the instruction of the beginner representations are given in plate ii. Jig. 5, 6, Sc 10, of the feathers before stripping, and their appearance when pre- pared for fastening on the hook. Every thing being thus in a state of readi- ness, the hook must be first fastened to the finest end of the gut with waxed silk, begin- ning (if for a hackle fly only) at the bend, and working towards the head of the hook ; when within about three turns of which, the hackle must be fastened in, and the winding ■**.*r&r^# C ' £ /,/j%,/ r -y «~/4>t> cn~^<^^? cA £+ far A** &?ls££*L~Z C+^r*^^^ 4 e of the silk continued, until it reaches the end of the shank: having reached this point, it must he turned again, as if to re- trace the same ground for two turns, which will form the head of the fly. The dubbing, if of fur or camlet, must now be twisted round the silk as in Jig. 13, and wrapped on the hook for nearly half the proposed length of the body, when it may be fastened by a single loop, in order that both hands may be at liberty for the better management of the hackle. If the body is to be composed of peacock or ostrich harl, it ouo4it to be fastened on at the same time with the hackle, so that it may be perfectly secure. Should the hackle be of tolerable size, there will be no difficulty in twisting it firmly on the hook with the fingers only; but if small, a pair of neat pliars which close together by a spring will be found of great utility in winding the turns of the • 46 hackle close under each other; and, if pliars be wanting, a piece of silk fastened to the end of the feather will answer the purpose. When enough of the feather is wound upon the hook, the remainder should be pressed closely under the thumb of the left hand, and the fibres which may be entan- gled picked out by means of a needle. The silk with the dubbing must now be twisted over the end of the hackle, (which the left thumb kept down) until the body of the fly is of the length required, taking care that it never proceeds beyond the bend of the hook, which would give it an unnatural ap- pearance. A single loop will keep the whole together until the clubbing be picked . out, and the hackle properly arranged, when the fastening off mirst be effected, by mak- ing three or four loose turns of the silk at such a distance from the hook, as to admit i / v .'.. AiC ^, , . • ?4 69 caught in almost all our streams which are near the sea. The time of spawning varies in different rivers. At Newcastle-upon-Tyne, these fish are in season at Christmas ; whereas in the Welsh rivers, they do not begin to run until May or June. After they have been for a few days in the fresh water, they are for the most part in high season, and a well grown fish at this time is a valuable prize to the Angler who may be so fortunate as to secure him. When on feed the Salmon generally takes up a position at the foot of a- strong stream which terminates in a whirlpool or eddy, and the most successful bait which can be used is the artificial fly. Those made in imitation of the Dragon flies are the most to be depended upon, as these insects are constantly hover- ing over the water, consequently are more 70 familiar to the view of the fish. They are however so capricious, that they will not unfrequently rise at an extremely gaudy fly, which bears no resemblance to nature, in preference even to a real wasp or Dra- gon fly ; and it will sometimes happen that a Trout-fisher with small flies, will succeed in raising the fish immediately after an An- gler prepared for Salmon-fishing has thrown over the spot a dozen varieties of large flies. The best hours of the day for this diversion are from eight to eleven in the morning, and from three until six in the evening. For specimens of Salmon flies, see plate hi. In Trout fishing when Salmon frequent the streams, it is necessary to use stronger tackle than might otherwise be advisable. An instance of the utility of this precaution occurred to the author. In one morning's fishing, five Salmon rose at his Trout flies, two of which he succeeded in taking: the 71 largest weighed sixteen pounds and three quarters, and measured two feet nine inches in length. It is true the gut of which the line was composed was choice, but it was sin- gle, and not of that description which from its extreme thickness is called Salmon gut. The time occupied in playing this fish was about an hour and three quarters ; and never did a General derive greater satisfaction from a victory than was felt on that occasion. If the multiplying reel be reprehensible in Trout fishing, it is absolutely useless where Salmon is the object, as the exertions and activity of this fish will try the strength of the tackle in all its points. When hook- ed, the Salmon generally darts with violence up the stream, and with extreme velocity : at this time it is not advisable to let much of the reel line out, but if possible, by forcing the rod well back, to keep with the fish by 72 running: alone; the side of the river. On reaching the head of a current, it will proba- bly throw itself out of the water several times, apparently with an intent to break the line with its tail. It may now be necessary to humour the efforts of the fish by giving a little additional line, to ease the strain which this repeated violence may occasion, but as soon as opportunity offers, it must be wound again upon the reel. Disappointed in these fruitless efforts, and maddened by the disappointments, it may probably return with encreased velocity to the spot in which it was hooked, having reliance on some strong hold or secret haunt in the vicinity of its feeding ground. To prevent this, it now requires all the Angler's skill and attention, by endeavouring to turn the struggler as fre- quently as possible, which will fatigue it more than any other expedient. If the tackle will not admit of his bearing upon the fish, a few small pebbles thrown before its 73 head, so as not to endanger the line, will generally produce the desired effect ; and if it so happen that it becomes sulky, and sinks without motion to the bottom, this is the only method to be employed to rouse it into action ; for a fish should never be per- mitted to remain quiet after being hooked. As it becomes exhausted, it may be easily drawn by degrees on to a gravel bank, or within reach of the gaff, when the anxiously earned prize is made secure. If when taken out of the water the colour of the back be blue or inclining; to black, the fish is in high season — if reddish, approaching to brown, it is kipper and good for nothing. The male fish is frequently found with a horny proboscis projecting from the under jaw, with which he roots in the gravel in order to form a bed for the spawn of the female. This being deposited, they both proceed to cover' it with the loose gravel, to 74 secure it from the voracity of the Trout and other fish, which are particularly fond of this food, and follow the Salmon in shoals, in the expectation of partaking of it. The young salmon fry, or samlets, are generally first animated in February, when they direct their course towards the sea, occa- sionally halting in favourite spots. On reaching the brackish or salt water, they stay for about a fortnight, in which short space of time their growth is very rapid. They are extremely voracious, and afford excellent diversion to the young Angler, as he will not unfrequently have a fish at every fly at the same moment. Although they are a delicious fish, a moment's reflection of the injury done to the river by the destruction of so many young fry, which in a year or two would be so much better worth taking, after having multiplied their species in an 75 extraordinary degree, ought to deter the Angler from continuing his sport when he finds a shoal of them. But the injury which is occasioned by the rod and line is insignificant when compared with the wilful slaughter caused by mill weirs, where in one night a cart load of these little fry may be taken. The gentlemen through whose estates the river winds ought to be particularly attentive to those most to be dreaded ravagers, occupiers of mills; who in a flood, (at which time the fry run in shoals) under the pretence of setting bas- kets for eels, fix them in such a manner as not to admit the possibility of a single fish of any description escaping, however small it may be ; and they have been known to catcli such immense numbers of samlets, that for want of knowing what to do with them, they have been under the necessity of throwino; fchem to the pigs. 76 OF TJHK TEdDUT ■-* Of all fresh water fish this is the most beau- tiful, and, next to the Salmon, is most esteemed by the Angler for the diversion it affords. The form of the Trout is Ions: in proportion to its breadth ; having the head round, and sharp teeth in the tongue as well as in the jaws. When in perfect season it is thickly studded with red and black spots, which relieved by the dark olive of the back gradually mixing with the rich yellow of the sides and belly, produce a fine effect. At this time it is hog backed like most other fish. The variety in the shape and colour of Trouts which are taken in different rivers and pools, has induced some persons to ima- gine that there are three distinct kinds of this 77 fish; viz. the red, the yellow, and the white, the former of which ranks highest in estimation ; but the more generally receiv- ed and most probable opinion is, that this difference arises from the quality of the food, or from the water which they inhabit being impregnated with some substance ca- pable of producing this effect. Certain it is, that their haunts, voracity, and modes of feeding, are every where alike. They spawn about the latter end of Octo- ber or beo-innins; of November, at which time they are unwholesome and not worth eating. At this season they constantly work up the stream in order to find proper situa- tions for spawning, for which purpose they generally prefer brooks, wdiere gravel or sand mixed with small stones abounds, in which they root a bed for this deposit. This being effected they appear quite exhausted, and wasting away become soft and lean. In 78 this state they are attacked by a worm, vul- garly called the water louse, which they have not strength to rid themselves of until re-in- vigorated by the genial warmth of the suns rays, on the approach of spring, when they quit the still deep water where they have re- mained inactive during the winter months, and revisit the strong streams, the force of which soon frees them from this disagreeable insect ; which being accomplished, they spee- dily regain their activity and vigour, and in the month of May are in high season. The favourite haunts in which the Trout delights, and where the Angler is most likely to meet with diversion, are the junction of two streams — the tails of currents — below bridges — near old weirs or pieces of rock — where the roots of trees are exposed by the bank having fallen in — uKder hollow banks ; and an excellent mode of enticing a good fish is to throw the fly against the opposite fit^U-^ **** L: *s y^ - 79 bank, so that it may drop gently from thence to the water ; also, wherever there is a fall of water, or a whirlpool ; as, when on the watch for food, they take post at the foot or sides of agitated waters, lying in wait for such flies. k.c. as the motion of the element may drive before it. In bright weather, when the water is low, another very successful method of taking Trout is, by means of a line of about a yard in length affixed to a short stiff rod, which will facilitate the dropping of the fly between bushes, and under the roots of trees. The best baits are the stone-fly, green or gray drake, and the down-looker or oak fly, in their natural states ; by means of which, if due caution be exercised as to keeping from the view of the fish, the Angler will hardly ever fail to reap the reward of a handsome catch. 80 OF THE The history of this little fish, which is also distinguished by a great variety of other names, as the fingering, pink, gravling, LAST - SPRING, SKIRLING, FORK -TAIL, BRANDLING, SHEDDER, SAMPSON, and PAR, has not been hitherto explained in a satisfac- tory manner. They are only to be found in rivers fre- quented by Salmon, and many are of opinion that they are all males, and are the dwarf or unnatural produce of the mixed spawn of the Salmon and the Trout ; others that they are produced from the spawn of those Salmon, which being prevented from regaining the sea, become sick and incapable of the regular functions of nature. 81 On the sides of this fish are dark marks or streaks, such as would be left by the hand if immersed in colour, whence it derives the name of Fingering. Some contend that they never exceed in length eight inches, or in weight a quarter of a pound ; whilst others assert that, on visiting the sea, they change their form in some points, lose the dark marks on their sides, and return to the rivers seve- ral pounds in weight. In corroboration of their growth, a gentleman of the greatest respectability assured the compiler that he has frequently taken them from the river by means of a casting net, and turned them into a pool, through which the stream of a moun- tain rivulet passed, and that they throve wonderfully, and exceeded the weight of a pound in a short space of time. As opinions respecting this fish are so various, it is sur- prising that some experienced naturalist has not directed his attention to the observation G 82 of its haunts and habits, to settle the points in dispute. These fish afford the Angler great diver- sion, as they will rise at the fly at almost all times ; and even when the water is become extremely low by long droughts, or when the sun is shining in all his splendour, they may be taken in considerable quantities. They are of exquisite flavour, and if pro- perly potted, the Char of our northern lakes is not to be preferred as a delicate morcjeau for the palate of an epicure. THE ©3BAYIL2N® OR ranis, like the Trout, delights in the streams of mountainous countries, but is by no means v .A, 1^7 C— L-^r /rc^t^cc- c- <£>^fc- U^jL- ^*~ ^/^y^,/-^ \&,JL u^jL -A^^ ^ Us^^l X^? . JL?£. 'fe^CtS-j^/? &* *-$<*. A?A*~ t£^-~ <5^^ As they rise freely at the fly they afford 87 good sport to the Angler, and when in the humour it is not difficult to fill a pannier with them. They sometimes, though not commonly, exceed half a pound in weight, and are much better eating than the Dace. A small feather from the starling's wing, or a bright hackle from a golden plover dress- ed upon small hooks, will generally prove successful. Another very killing method is the sandy feather of a landrail dressed as for the w T ings of a fly, and a well cleansed maggot or gentle, as before mentioned for Trout. In the early part of the Spring they prefer worms, of which a small Brand- ling and Gilt-tail are most to be depended upon. THE BMAY SiHff IL L DB T is by no means common in the northern counties, and but rarely to be found in Scot- land ; whereas on the southern coasts it is 88 tolerably abundant. They frequently leave the salt water, and will rise freely at the same flies as are used for Trout fishing, but if made rather larger the success of the An- gler will be more certain: the writer hav- ing thus occasionally taken them near Rhydd- lan Castle, where the rivers Ciwydd and Elwy meet the salt water, whilst Angling for Salmon. These fish are strong in the water, and require care in the management of them, as they plunge violently. The best time for Angling for them is when the tide is coming in, as when it ebbs they return to the salt water. The head of this fish is of a depressed form, having the nose sharp ; and the body oblong and com- pressed, on each side of the head below the nostrils there stands a little bone which is serrated on its lower part : the eyes are not covered with a skin ; and there are teeth on the tongue and palate, but none upon the jaws. 89 OF THE CffliffiBa ©I3IEV3M OR O-BA'lPtlfDIB-. This is a leather-mouthed fish, like the Carp ; has a big head; and the body, which is long and rather round, is covered with large scales. They sometimes attain to the weight of four or five pounds, are a greedy fish, and will take all sorts of baits, but are sulky and inactive when hooked. The best mode of fishing for them is dibbing with a natural fly under trees or bushes, as they are fond of shady places. The Chub delights in large rivers with sandy bottoms, and will frequently annoy the Trout fisher by rising at his flies ; for as \ 90 they make no play, and are good for nothing when caught, it must be considered mortify- ing to be plagued by them when in expecta- tion of nobler game : in fact, in so little es- timation is this fish held, that the French call it " Le vilain." To a young Angler they may nevertheless afford diversion ; and being generally to be found of good size, they may be serviceable in preparing him for the better management of the more active objects, Trout and Salmon. Tffil 3BILEAK is a small delicate fish, scarcely ever attaining to six inches in length. The body is cover* ed with thi i silver scales, and the back is of a greenish colour. On account of their dex- terity in catching flies, they are frequently called the water swallow. They are in sea- son all the year except the month of May, 91 which is the time for their spawning. As they are to be found in almost all our inland rivers, and as they are passionately fond of the small red and black ants, they are a good fish for initiating the young Angler in the art of Fly-fishing. THE 3B®A(01H AND THE 1A®I S BARKa or as is sometimes called the showler, will also rise at the fly greedily ; but as they are so very generally known, a separate descrip- tion of them is deemed unnecessary. By sinking his flies a little under the w T ater, the Angler will find his advantage when fishing for ROACH. 92 This fish spawns in Mai/, and it is easy to distinguish whether it be in season or other- wise ; for if the scales upon the back be rough to the touch, it is out of season ; if they lie flat and smooth, the reverse. The dace is a longer and narrower fish, and has smaller scales than the Roach, and spawns in March, which constitute the prin- cipal differences between them; as their haunts and manners are the same, and they are generally found together, each delighting in the deepest part of rivers where there is gravel or sand. Both afford sport to the Fly-fisher by their avidity in taking the bait ; but as they do not require much skill to secure them, and are of so little esteem when taken, any person who has once parti- cipated in the pleasures of Salmon or Trout Angling would feel dissatisfied with this diversion. 93 The fish thus described are believed to be all (worthy the Angler's notice) that are ac- customed to take the fly as their natural food. It is true, instances have occurred of the Pearch, Pike,and even Eels^ beingtaken with the artificial fly; but as such occurrences are uncommon, it would be inconsistent to class them with the fish mentioned in the pre- ceding pages. It remains therefore to proceed to the description of the materials necessary to be used in the formation of the flies repre- sented in the plates which accompany this treatise. The author is aware that they can by no means be considered fine specimens of the art of representing nature ; but as they will convey some idea of the size and form of the natural fly, and may prove a more correct criterion for the imitator to adopt as to the colours of his materials than any written description, it is hoped that they will in 94 some degree prove useful and advantageous to such brethren of the Angle as may deem them worthy their inspection. It may possibly be remarked that the number of flies selected is insufficient. Cer- tain it is, that the ephemeral aquatic insects which the sun's genial rays animate in suc- cession, are as endless in variety as they are incalculable in numbers, and may possibly all at one time or other serve as food for the Trout, 8cc. Yet to compile a treatise of this description would require the observation and deep attention of a Linnaeus. Such therefore only as practical experience has pointed out to be worthy of selection are re- presented, and it is presumed they will be found sufficient to answer the purposes, and meet the wishes of the reasonable Angler. Whilst upon this subject it may not be al- together irrelative to remark, that a good 95 treatise on the English water insects is much wanted ; as most of the collectors of this hranch of natural history, who have spared no trouble or expence in procuring foreign insects, are lamentably deficient in specimens of the description herein mentioned. Accurately to enumerate the different names by which the several flies are distin- guished would be impossible, as the neigh- bouring inhabitants of almost every river have different titles for the same insect. Such however as are known to be standard flies are given with references to their num- bers, and the number of the plate. The re- mainder are no doubt well known to the experienced Angler by some denomination or other ; but as name can add little to his information or success, when he has the representation before him, they will be des- cribed in the order in which they appear on the plates, as follows : 96 PLATE III. contains specimens of five flies which will be found very successful in raising Salmon. No. 1. is recommended as a spring fly, and is to be composed of the following materials : Wings, of the dark mottled brown or black- ish feather of a turkey ; body, of orange cam- let mixed with a little mohair; and a di sky red, or bright brown cock's hackle, plucked from the back where the fibres are longest, for legs; hook, same size as represented in the plate : and it is to be observed, that all large Salmon flies should be dressed upon two or three lengths of gut twisted together, and that the silk in dressing be brought beyond the shank of the hook, and wrapped four or five times round the gut, so that the sharp- ness of the steel may not speedily cut it. \\ Let . . c~/tt7--y ' ^fere/% /? t 3 ~--Ia . . . 105 persons, and will certainly kill fish when the water is low and fine, to have omitted the description would have. been censurable. No. 3. Z\)t J&ard) Proton or 30tm ^rafcc. This very excellent fly generally appears about the middle of March, and is strongly recommended as a good killer from eleven o'clock until tfyree. Large quantities of these beautiful insects sail down the streams in succession, and invite the Trout to action. Their wings are upright on the body as shewn in the plate, and whilst they are on the water, it is almost in vain to attempt the use of any other fly ; therefore as they vary in the shade of the body, it is advised to use three flies of this form, but of different sizes and colours at the same time, which will ensure success to the Angler. The winors are made from the dark mot- tied feather from the tail of a partridge; 106 the body of the fur from the hare's ear, intermixed with a small portion of yellow worsted, well dubbed together ; a grizzled hackle for legs ; and if the imitator chuse to be exact, two fibres from the same feather which composed the wings will enable him to form the tail. This appendage to the files in their natural state need not be at- tended to in the artificial formation, as it is of little importance in aictyig the success of the Angler ; although, if flies are dressed for sale, it improves their appearance, and ren- ders them more showy and attractive. It may also be dressed as a hackle by means of the spotted feather from a partridge's back, using the same mixture for the body as before described. « is of a round form, and rather difficult to be imitated with success. It is to be used in May and June, and is very destructive £& htt- & *-■<&■ ^'S A*% <^f-h*. <*- t* Sthtt Csot-Jz-f Jie-t-AsC*— fez- £-*-2s* - c ' vz \fc-^r^yv / 107 where bushes abound. By some this is improperly called the Marlow Buzz. The body is made of ostrich harl of two colours, viz. black and purple, which must be twisted very thick : the wings of the sandv coloured feather from under the wings of a throstle, or from the red feather of a part- ridge's tail, provided it be not too dark : a bluish hackle twisted tolerably full will answer for the under wing, as well as for the legs. The Cow-lady flies are also made in this manner, substituting a red or black hackle for the dun, and reducing the size of the fly very considerably. No, 5, Zty <5mt Saiclt Utm is one of the earliest flies which appear upon the water, and may be used in Febru- ary, if the weather be mild. It has four wings, which are to be imitated by the dun feathers from the wing of a wild mallard 108 which have a brownish tinge : the body of dark fur from the mole, mixed with a little dark brown mohair; and a dark grizzled hackle for legs. This fly may be used during the whole year early in the morning, if the wind be high, and is often successful in raising Salmon. No. 6. Z%t j&tone Jflg is found near the edge of shallow stony streams, and is a favourite article of food to the Trout, so long as it continues in season. It is hatched from a cadis, and issues from the shell before it has completely gained the use of wings. The usual time of the Stone fly's appearance is in April; but Salter, in his excellent little work on Angling, gives the following account of his success with this fly at a much earlier period : r /f&±j JSfrt* yi^y ^ faP^ ^_ / / / *~ c7Z* * &f£A£,: r tfocL fur ciA/L &-<&,/. U 4 £^^J^C^ ^£/^ «-* HI natural state by dibbing under bushes ; and must, in common with all large flies, be in- variably used at the point. "No, 7. 'ftty J&calg 38rofon or $ttti jpb appears in May, and is an excellent fly for Grayling. It has four wings, which are made from the under part of a throstle or fieldfare's wing : those feathers should be selected which have the yellowest tinge. The common hen is sometimes to be met with of this shade, in which case her feathery may be used. The body is of dusky orange, which the light brown fur from a fox's breast will furnish ; and a pale dun hackle for legs. Attention must be given to the division of the wings, which should stand as shown in the plate. No. 8. Z\)z 33lue 39un is, in appearance, one of the most delicate insects which frequent the water ; it is there- 112 fore extraordinary that it is to be found in the greatest quantities on cold windy days, being hardly ever to be seen in mild warm weather. It is an early fly, making its appear- ance about the first week in March, at which time it remains on the water during the whole of the morning. It is extremely dif- ficult to meet with a feather of the exact shade, or sufficiently delicate in the fibre for the wings of this fly ; it is therefore better to make it of a pale blue dun hackle, and use it as a dropper. The body is composed of the blue fur from a water rat, mixed with a small proportion of lemon coloured mo- hair. As the wings of this fly stand erect on the body, a cock's hackle is preferable to that of a hen, not being so liable to yield to the action of the water. PLATE V. No. 9. is the representation of another variety of the Duns, being somewhat smaller , *\ SS jjflr~fe~$ s y ^^ ^^ ^^ ! fa Lrr L.^* ***** <*<-** **4% ^c^C- £4cO<*. ^-4~ fl~&>c£*- f~ £<^& y&-^ i/c^/eJ - OX- ^/ctrz^r Although this is not an aquatic insect, being most commonly found amongst the excrement of animals, it is nevertheless a fa- vourite of the Trout ; and when high winds have blown these flies upon the water, the Angler may calculate upon good diversion if he make trial of them. They appear in March, and will raise fish until September. The body is made of yel- low camlet or mohair, mixed with a little brown bear's fur, which gives the whole a dusky appearance ; the feather from the wing of the landrail for wings ; and a ginger hackle for the legs. The wings are to be dressed flat on the back, and the body made full. W/2e^ ' . l^tfh^r i^JL ufU A*-*/ - dyy/ c~ i^-f-j {JU^^- c£*^ is an excellent bait for Grayling, and may be used from May until the end of August. The wings stand upright, and are to be made of a hen's feather which approaches to the colour of yeast; body dark blue fur ; and a pale ginger hackle for legs ; jor it may be 116 dressed with a cream-coloured hen's hackle over a blue body. Ho. 14. &f)e ?|arrg %on% 2?gg is a Summer fly ; and although its merits have been underrated by many Anglers, it is an excellent killer on a cloudy day, when there is a good breeze. The body is dressed of brown bear's fur, mixed with the dark dun from a mole's skin ; the dark mottled fea- ther of a partridge for wings ; and a brown cock's hackle of good length for the legs : wings upright and body taper. Ho. 1*. ETx> Uttle faoiufclue dFlg. These flies are rarely to be seen in mild weather ; but during the month of May they frequent the water in considerable numbers on cold windy days. They may be ranked amongst the smallest of the insects necessarv UrC-j-^f fz^oTf-^ t-rzmrb Cc<- fi^, £^^ a~c Ac ui^*r^ Qfic*- - <&*&? y^i^m *j 0U*A *>£»/ 7i£y * 3**^ fa^ ffl&%^ Aadt/e. - wl* £i/fU ^*^ J <^ \ \ .s ; • >n o W y - v \ Foil the Angler's imitation, and can scarcely be dressed too fine. The wings are upright, \ ' > and best made of a feather from under the cormorant's wing ; as however it may not be an easy matter to procure one of these birds, and as one bird affords only about a dozen of the feathers requisite, a substitute is recommended in the tail of the tom-tit, which is nearly of the same shade. The body pale blue fur warped with purple silk, a small portion of which should be neatly picked out to represent the legs of the fly, as the use of a hackle for this purpose in minute flies is incorrect. ttfo. 16. Z\)z (Srabcl or j&pitier 4Fls is first seen about the middle of April, at which time the gravel in which these insects are bred is literally covered by incalculable numbers of them. They are extremely deli- cate, and not often visible on cold days; on 118 which however success is more probable with this fly, than when they are to be found in such large quantities. They may be used from morning until evening; ; and the Trout are so passionately fond of them, that they gorge themselves with their favourite food, and retire to their secret haunts, thereby dis- appointing the most skilful endeavours of the Angler. It is probably owing to the short duration of these ilies that the fish are so greedy in $ > devouring them, as they are seldom to be found at the expiration of about.three weeks ^ from their first appearance. The wings are made of the feather from the wing of the cuckoo's mate, the goat sucker, or in the absence of the preceding two, from the * v# woodcock: the body of lead coloured silk for the lower and middle parts, and a strip of black ostrich hail for the thick.part near the shoulders; round which a Small dark If 7L ~fcr / 7 ' v ■\ V TPIL^TCTB 6 **m> 119 grizzled hackle should be twisted twice, and the fly is completed. PLATE VI. No* 17. %ty (Sranam or <£mn Eatl is to be found on the water at the same time of the year as the spider fly, and is used with success early in the morning and late in the evening, whilst it is in season, which is rarely for a longer period than ten days. It is also a delicate fly, and not often out on cold days. It derives the name of Green Tail from a bunch of eggs of a green colour, which drop on the water at the moment of the fly's touching that element. The wings lie flat on the back, and are made of the shaded feather from the wing of a partridge or hen pheasant ; the body of the dark fur from a hare's ear, mixed with a little blue fur; and for the tail the green harl from ■■"* 120 the eye of a peacock's tail is the most showy material, although a small quantity of bright green wax (about the size of a pin's head) attached to the hook is the best representa- tion of nature ; a yellow grizzled hackle should be used for the legs ; or it may be dressed as a hackle, with the shaded feather from under a woodcock's wing over the same body. No. 18. is a representation of the Green Tail as it appears when on the water ; the pre- ceding fly having been drawn with the wings expanded for the purpose of shewing the colour of the body. Jto. 19. t\)t P^afotfjow jFlg is so called from being usually found near' the shrub of that name. It is a good killer, and may be used from the middle of April to the end of May, from ten o'clock until V • » ^ V' Z/l T*L /Z~ fa*- r^^*~-/x~- yi^t^y / 121 three. The wings are transparent, and may- be made from the palest feather of a snipe or mallard's wing : some use horn shavings, or the hard substance which is found in the core of an apple, for this purpose : the body of black ostrich harl ; and a black hackle for leo;s. jlo. 20. flTJje JSummer Sun is thicker in form than the o-eneralitv of the dun flies, and is to be dressed upon a hook with a short shank. The body of the fur from a mole ribbed w T ith ash-coloured silk ; the wings from a wood-pigeon ; and an ash- coloured hackle for legs. A good fly dur- ing the Summer months, in large waters. iio. 21. Ifyt ^tacfe ©arl §\% is also a Summer fly, and is a good killer in warm weather early in the morning. The 122 body is of ostrich harl dressed thin, and cut close; the wings, which are four in num- ber, from the pale feather of the starling's wing. Mo. 22. TEfyt To. 23. fcjjc little ^clloto ittag or Mllofo Jfto resembles the green drake in form, and is composed of nearly the same materials, but on a much smaller scale. The body of yel- low fur from the martin's neck ; or yellow worsted unravelled, and mixed with a very small quantity of the fur from, the hare's ear, so arranged that the yellow shall predomi- nate as the colour of the belly ; wings of the mallard's feather dyed yellow ; or it may be made as a hackle fly, with a white cock's feather dyed of the same shade of yellow. This fly comes on early in May, and is the precursor of the green drake ; until the ap- pearance of which it may be used with success. 124 No. 24. a little brown fly which appears in June, and continues until September, is a good fly before sunset in a warm even- ing. The body of dark brown fur ribbed with orange silk ; and a hackle of a greenish tinge from the back of a woodpecker, or dusky green parrot. PLATE VII. No. 25. is a brown winged fly, which is fre- quently seen during the months of June, July, and August. The body is of dark blue fur mixed with a portion of black sheep's wool ; the wings from the brown feather of a grouse ; and a dark cock's hackle for legs. It is a good fly in still water, where it play- fully skims the surface, somewhat in the manner of the Harry Long Legs. 125 No. 26. Ifyt ttvofon 33un. The form of this fly resembles the blue dun, but it is rather less in size. The body is made of otter's fur mixed with lemon-colour mohair ; a ginger hackle for legs ; and the wings from a fieldfare. This, as well as all the dun flies of the same form, is a great favourite of the Trout ; and is taken princi- pally in the evening towards the approach of dusk. No. 27. Zty <&xm\ Dtafee or i&ag d?lg is one of the most beautiful of our English insects, and is taken with avidity by the Trout and Chub, being a bait that they are remarkably fond of. These flies are to be found in the greatest plenty on sandy gra- velly rivulets or brooks, and also on some large rivers ; but their favourite haunts are 126 most commonly the smaller streams, where they are to be used with the best success. They appear about the twentieth of May, and continue for nearly a month. The wings stand erect upon the back, and vary in the tints of yellow in different flies. The body is long, slender, and taper towards the tail, from the end of which spring the fork- ed whisks, which turning up towards the back, give the name of Green Drake to this fly. The body is made of hog's down, or light bear's hair, intermixed with yellow mo- hair; or of barber's yellow silk only, warped with pale flos silk, and a small strip of pea- cock's harl for the head ; a bittern's hackle is acknowledged to be the best imitation of the legs and dark stripes of the body ; and for the tail the long hairs of sable or fitchet are most appropriate. As no natural feather approaches the re- semblance of the wings of this fly, it is neces- ^4 frinr-F /, £ -&L* f^^uL.^ f^^'cv.. .-■• n- U±v/J- o^w— Z^-^ */ 126 most commonly the smaller streams, where they are to be used with the best success. They appear about the twentieth of May, and continue for nearly a month. The wings stand erect upon the back, and vary in the tints of yellow in different flies. The body is long, slender, and taper towards the tail, from the end of which spring the fork- ed whisks, which turning up towards the back, give the name of Green Drake to this fly. The body is made of hog's down, or light bear's hair, intermixed with yellow mo- hair; or of barber's yellow silk only, warped with pale flos silk, and a small strip of pea- cock's harl for the head ; a bittern's hackle is acknowledged to be the best imitation of the legs and dark stripes of the body ; and for the tail the long hairs of sable or fitchet are most appropriate. As no natural feather approaches the re- semblance of the wings of this fly, it is neces- li '~^ _^ jto^ioz^ EL. s? // / 9/ / £ /La^r^ '. da^^f \/h~ clJ<~ . 127 sary to have recourse to art for the imitation, which may he successfully produced by dy- ing the spotted feathers of a wild mallard yellow, for which purpose a variety of recipes have been given. This fly kills extremely well at all hours of the day, particularly in still water. Recipe for staining the Mallard's feather yellow, from " Walton and Cotton's Complete Angler," Edit. 1808. Take the root of a Barberry tree and shave it, and put to it woody viss, with as much alum as walnut, and boil your feathers in it with rain water, and they will be of a very fine yellow. Recipe for staining the same colour , from " Salter's Modern Angler" page 61. Scrape a small quantity of the bark of the Barberry tree, or bruise in a mortar the root ; add to it a lump of alum, and one or two dozen gray feathers of a mallard ; boil them 128 in a pint of rain water in an earthen pitcher about an hour, and you will find them the colour you wish. Another from the same Treatise. When the Barberry cannot be readily procured, take of Turmeric one ounce, Alum half ditto, Stone Blue quarter ditto, each pounded fine ; boil them with the gray fea- thers above described, and it will produce the same colour. It may prevent a mistake if you frequently take out a feather and dip it in clean water ; you will then observe the progress of the dye. Another from " Taylor's Angling in all its branches.*-' The best dye for all yellow materials for artificial flies is the bark from the branches of a Crab tree, taken in the Spring when the sap is up. Before you use it put any quan- tity that you want into a vessel, just cover it 129 With a mixture of one half hard water and the other half urine, and let it stand twenty- four hours ; then put it into a proper vessel, with some alum according to judgment, so that it simmer over a slow fire about two hours ; stir up all well together, and take out the bark : then put in your feathers and other materials, and stir them round till the liquor just begins to boil ; then take them out, and instantly throw them into some hard cold water with a little alum dissolved in it, wash them out and dry them for use : you may make the shades of this colour vary by dissolving more or less of the bark according to judgment, or letting the materials be in the dye a longer or shorter time. Another. Gumboge dissolved in spirits of wine will impart a fine yellow to the feathers, if they be first boiled in strong alum water. K 130 No. 28. Z\)t ftlue $lofo is one of the smallest flies worthy the An- gler's notice ; nevertheless it must claim his particular attention, as when the water is low it is an excellent killer, and when these insects appear in large quantities the Trout are extremely active in devouring them. It is hardly possible to dress this fly upon too small a hook : the body should be made of any very dark blue fur, or of a peewit's top- ping, as its appearance on the water exactly resembles a lump of soot ; the wings may be, made of thistle down, or a bluish white hac- kle. It is a Summer fly, but is most abundant during the first fortnight in August, when at about one o'clock in the day the water is covered with them. ilo. 29. t\)t 23lacfe J&tose is another very minute fly, and is dressed with brownish black silk for the body, and a 131 blue cock's hackle over it It is chiefly to be used as a dropper when the water is fine, and is taken freely after a shower of rain in the evening during the Summer months. ilo. 30. Z\)t ©rag Brake generally succeeds the o-reen drake, although they are sometimes to be seen together in equal quantities. Its duration is about a fort- night ; and it is to be found on almost all waters, whether large or small, rapid or otherwise. It is an excellent fly for attracting large fish, 'and may be used from three o'clock in the afternoon until dusk. In form and size it resembles the May Fly ; but in colour it is very different. The body is to be made of dirty white ostrich harl, or cream coloured crewel, dressed with flesh colour- ed silk, and ribbed with a dark grizzled cock's hackle'; the head to be formed of peacock's harl, in the same manner as the 132 green drake ; the wings of the mottled feather of the mallard, or mallard teal, provided it be not very dark ; and the tail of the hair of sable, or fitchet's tail. This fly should be thrown directly over the fish, and so manag- ed, if possible, that the wings may not touch the water. No. 31. %fy $«*«*, - fT^i^o^ ,X<-**^ 7- ^v £~ CZ-t * ~*-s^