UC-NRLF ^B 571 bM3 FiSH€Rl.GyiDE GENERAL I LIBRARY J UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/flyfishersguideOObainrich THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE, Itl-USTRATKD BT COLOURED PLATES, mXPRESKNTINO UPWARDS OF FORTY OF THE MOST USEFUL FLIES, ACCURATELY COPIED FROM NATURE. GEORGE COLE BAINBRIDGE. FOURTH EDITION. LONDON: LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMAN. MDCCCXL. t, r. CJkKKKLL, PBINTBR, 13, CA8TL« STREBT, LIVBEPOOI.. PREFACE. Custom having pronounced that a book is incomplete without a prefatory introduction, it might savour of arrogance if the tribute were withheld 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 premise, that desire of fame, or expectation of profit, was not amongst the number. A wish that every lover of the angle should partici- pate in the advantages to be derived from a constant reference to the representations of the insects on which his diversion so materially depends, induced the writer to publish his observations on angling and specimens of flies, which were originally only intended for private inspection. wiSaGS?! IV PREFACE. The insignificant light in which publications of this nature are generally held by the literati, and the in- difference 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 where they disapprove, and for candour in approbation should any portion of the matter be in unison with their own ideas, or contri- bute in any wise to their success. Relying upon which, he has the honour to subscribe himself, their most obedient humble servant, G. C. B. CONTENTS. PAGB Advantages and Pleasures of Flj Fishing 1 Angling, Instructions for 45 Seasons and Times for 54 Fish that rise at the Fly, Description and Haunts of, viz. Bleak 81 Chub, Chevin orChavinder 80 Dace 81 Graining 77 Gravel Fry 72 Grayling 74 Gray Mullet 78 Roach 81 Salmon 58 Trout 68 Flies, Artificial, Method of Dressing 37 Directions for Making the following — Ant, Great Black 122 Red 123 Small Black 123 ^ Black Gnat 92 VI CONTENTS. FAOB Flies, Artificial, continued — Black Harl Fly 107 Black Midge 115 Blue Blow 114 Blue Gnat 120 Brown Cadis or Orl Fly 107 Brown-winged Fly 109 Canon Fly, Downlooker, or Oak Fly 121 Cinnamon Fly 116 Cow-dung Fly 100 Cream-coloured Fly 102 Downlooker, Oak Fly, or Canon Fly-.^.^.-iM Dun Drake or March Brown 93 Dun Flies — ^ Blue Dun 99 Brown Dun... 109 Dun Fly 100 Great Dark Dun 95 Pale Evening Dun 120 Summer Dun 106 Yellow Dun 101 {^ Fern Fly or Mealy Brown 98 Granam or Green Tail 105 Gravel or Spider Fly 103 Gray Drake 115 Great Red Spinner 119 CONTENTS. Vll PAGE Flies, Artificial, continued — Green Drake or May Fly 109 Harrj Long-legs 102 Hawthorn Fly 106 Hazle Fly 95 Little Brown Fly 108 Little Iron-blue Fly 102 Little Yellow May or Willow Fly 108 March Brown or Dun Drake 93 March Fly 92 Mealy Brown or Fern Fly 98 Oak-Fly,^>»w«leofcer, or Canon Fly 4fti OrangeFly .^.... 100 Orl Fly, or Brown Cadis Fly 107 Peacock Fly 116 Salmon Flies 86 ^ Sand Fly 117 Stone Fly 96 Yellow Sally Fly 123 Gentles, Method of Preserving 127 Ground Fishing for Trout with a Running Line 129 Materials used in Fly Fishing 7 Gut and Weed 28 Hooks 24 Lines 19 Pannier 34 Vlll CONTENTS. PAGK Materials, continued — Pocket Books and Cabinet 35 Reel 31 Rod 12 Moths for Night Fishing 126 White 126 Brown 127 Recipes for Staining the Mallard's Feather Yellow Ill Gut 29 Imitations of the Green and Gray Drake 113 LIST OF PLATES. The Trout, Plate I Frontispiece. Hooks, and Method of Tying Flies, Plate II 24 Salmon Flies, Plate III 86 Trout Flies,Plate IV 92 Plate V 100 Plate VI 105 Plate VII 109 Plate VIII 117 Improved Method of Baiting the Minnow, Plate IX, 132 FLY FISHING. Its advantages — Devotion of eminent men to that recreation — Its fascinations — Pursuit of it advantageous to health — Pleasures of collecting materials and making artificial flies — Cheapness of angling in comparison with other sports — Cleanliness in using the artificial fly. F the superiority which this particular branch of angling possesses over UjR every other method, so many persons have writ- ten at length, and its merits have been so ge- nerally acknowledged by all who have had the opportunities of discriminating, that to enter diffusely into the particular advantages which distinguish it would be superfluous, and by no B ^ THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 recreation so pre-eminent amongst rural sports ; and in the course of the work to connect a few observations, in order to confute the objections which prejudiced persons are but too apt to bring forward, in opposition to the gratifying pleasures which admirers of this pursuit so justly exhibit in a warm tone of colouring. Without referring to the antiquity of the art, as a recommendation, or enumerating the cata- logue of virtuous qualities, such as patience, per- severance, &c., of which an angler is supposed to be possessed, it is simply necessary to observe, that many very eminent and learned characters have devoted much of their leisure time to this agreeable recreation ; and it is a fact worthy of notice, that although many persons have quitted other sports for the amusement of fly fishing. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 3 yet the memory of the writer does not furnish a single instance of a fly fisher deserting his occu- pation^ and transferring his preference to any other of the list of rural sports. This observa- tion is very general^ and is certainly a strong argument in favour of the superior pleasure vrhich angling affords. The peculiar and almost immediate relief which this innocent pursuit yields to the distressed or uneasy mind, by calming the perturbations which misfortunes or other vexatious circumstances may have excited, is to be ranked amongst the first of its recommendations. 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 advan- tages of fly fishing. To proceed, therefore, to those observations upon which the claim of superiority is founded. The first which presents itself is exercise. The fly fisher is in constant motion, and travels several miles whilst prac- tising his art; whereas the ground angler re- 4 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. mains in a state of inactivity, 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 al- together, from pursuing his favourite o'ccupation. 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 at- tractive to make converts of the most sceptical, if they be not wholly indifferent 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 degree. The dull mo- notony which attends the ground 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 gratified with the delights which his walk has afforded, THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 5 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 mate- rials, is infinitely greater than can be conceived by an indifi^erent observer, and offers a constant employment for those leisure hours, which in un- favourable weather might otherwise hang heavy, and by not being agreeably occupied, lead to the introduction of that most disagreeable compa- nion — ennui. Cheapness has been always urged in favour of angling ; and certain it is, that no other amuse- ment can be procured at such an easy rate, for it is within the reach of the humblest indi- vidual. In addition to the foregoing advantages, that of cleanliness must not be omitted. How greatly preferable is the simple formation of an artificial O THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. fly of feathers and fur^ to the unpleasantness attendant upon baiting a hook with worm, mag- got, 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 in- troduction of a hook into the worm whilst living, or the extraction of a gorged hook from the en- trails of a ravenous fish. Such, indeed, are the pleasures and advan- tages derived from this mode of angling, that Thomson, Gay, Armstrong, Waller, and other modern poets, have considered its praises as worthy their talents and attention. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. MATERIALS USED IN FLY FISHING, Rods — Lines — Reels — Silkworm gut and weed — Hooks — Feathers- Silks — Hackles — Wings of birds — Furs — Camlets and mohair- Landing net — Pliers, scissors, needles and wax — Pannier- Methods of staining gut — Pocket books, &c. Having set forth a few of the prominent recom- mendations of the art, it remains to conduct the reader, if an admirer of the pursuit, to the prac- tical system, which, having been founded upon the experience and observation of several years, may not be altogether uninstructive or uninterest- ing. 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 par- ticularly of the bittern, grouse, woodcock, par- tridge, snipe, landrail, golden plover, and star- 8 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. ling. Furs of every colour ; amongst the most useful of which will be found the skins of squirrels, moles, water-rats, hare's ears, in the natural state and dyed yellow (which will afford almost every tinge of colour necessary), 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 latter being serviceable in almost all flies, inasmuch as it prevents the camlet or fur, with which it is commonly mixed, from imbibing so great a de- gree of moisture as it would otherwise do; by which means, also, the fly becomes more durable ; and the glossy 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 FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. y 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, in point of utility, is the red, with black root, which is generally substituted when the former cannot be procured. Black hackles are of 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 selec- tion and plucking 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 possessing a treasure ; for the same fowl will furnish him with grizzled hackles about May, and dun hackles at Christmas. The feathers from young birds, before they have moulted, are entirely useless, being too soft to c 10 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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. 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 de- nominated strong barber^s silk, must be used double, for splicing the tops of rods. The se- cond, of a finer quality, for fastening the rings to the rod, and also for casualties. The third, for whipping hooks and dressing flies, should be the finest netting silk. It is rather difficult to meet with the latter of a sufficiently delicate texture in any towns far distant from the metro- polis ; there, however, every shade and colour which can possibly be required, may be had at a reasonable rate. Ostrich and peacock harls are also indispen- sable requisites. The former, of every possible colour, is useful in flies for salmon fishing ; and THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 11 the latter is very frequently used for trout flies also, as in the marlow buzz, orl fly, &c. In addition to the foregoing, the following ar- ticles are necessary for the completion of the angler's apparatus. A landing net, having a fer- rule 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 diameter, 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 frequent, 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 pliers are of great assist- ance in dressing flies, and a pair of fine-pointed scissors absolutely necessary. Needles for pick- ing out the dubbing ; wax for the silk ; and a pannier, with a broad leather strap to fasten on the shoulder, so that the fish may be carried with 12 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. safety, and free from injury, close the list of ne- cessaries ; and as a few hints respecting the selec- tion of the various articles may not be altogether unacceptable, they will be severally mentioned in regular order. THE ROD. The rod first claims notice, as occupying 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 man- ners, and of divers lengths and weights. Some prefer them of two pieces only, which are spliced together about the middle. These certainly 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 re- gular; and they are 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 inter- THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 13 venes between the river and the angler^s dwelling. This description of rod is in general use in the northern counties of England, 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 sufl&cient, and for small rivers and brooks the former is much the most convenient and useful size. For salmon fishing a greater length, extending to seventeen or eighteen feet, and of proportion- ate 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 intended, is that it be free from knots or cracks, and that it be 14 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 de- fective part causes will severely strain, if it do not actually break, the piece. By the term pliant, it is not meant that the rod should be as limber and flexible as a cart whip, which extreme ought as carefully to be guarded against as too great stub- bornness ; but that it should play easily, and that the bend be slightly perceptible even in the bottom or 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 de- scription, which imagination or caprice may re- quire, will be offered to his inspection. The best rods which the writer has hitherto met with, are manufactured and sold by Henry Swann, of Langholm, North Britain, They consist of five pieces, and have screw joints at each ferrule. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 15 which is particularly 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 pointed out in these rods, viz., to have the top joint spliced to the fourth piece, without 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. The best method of obtaining a true set of the rod, and avoiding the inconvenience arising from weather, is to have the ferrules bushed, or ground true with emery powder, in a turning lathe. 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 implements, a description of the materials and manner of forming a rod, may be 16 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. useful. Indeed, a true angler ought to be able, if not to manufacture, at least to repair, his own rods, lines, reels, &c., as he will otherwise be fre- quently exposed to great inconvenience, from the numerous and unforeseen accidents to which the practiser of this diversion is constantly liable. 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. Logwood is sometimes used for the tops, and answers extremely well for salmon or trolling rods ; 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 par- tridge wood, may also be made use of for top pieces; but yew and briars do not answer the purpose, although frequently recommended by experimenters. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 1/ Before wood of any description is cut into lengths, it should be perfectly seasoned; and what- ever number of pieces the rod is to be composed of, between the butt and top piece, they must all be cut from the same log, and not, as is too fre- quently done, the second part from one piece of wood, the third from another, and so on, which, not having undergone the same degrees of season- ing, will never play regularly in the hand. The first proceeding towards the formation of a rod, is to plane each length into a four square ; afterwards, by means of a taper wooden set, into an octagon. They are then to be rounded with a common smoothing 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 fas- 18 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. tened with silk, and 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 gradually as the rod tapers. They are easily made, by twisting a piece of soft brass wire round a tobacco pipe, and fastening the ends together with hard solder. The extreme end of the top piece is commonly 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 of four or five inches, is sufficient : this is generally finished up with a file, any sharp instrument being liable to take it off in regular 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 linseed oil. If a stain be required, nitric acid or oil of vitriol will produce a brown colour, the acid being di- luted according to the shade required. To preserve rods after use, let them be well rubbed with salad oil or tallow, and kept in a THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 19 moderately dry place until the return of the angling season, when, after being carefully wiped, they will be found in excellent order. If the bottom piece be bored for the purpose of receiv- ing a spare top, the inside should be oiled, by means of a piece of rag, fastened to the end of a stick. LINES. 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 at a much cheaper rate than a private individual 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 explanation of the ne- cessary 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 20 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 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 cer- tainly 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 mak- ing 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 stal- lion ; and those hairs are generally most free THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 21 from blemish which grow from the middle of the tail. Black, although the strongest, is the least serviceable colour ; brown, gray and white are to be preferred, and ought to be picked with care, and assorted according to their different degrees of length and thickness. For common foot lines an engine is not neces- sary, as they are easily made by separating 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 draw- ing the hand downwards, to prevent the un- twisted hairs from entangling. Taper lines of any length or thickness, 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 advisable to make use of the twisting- engine, which will enable the prac- titioner to complete his purpose more readily and effectually than with the fingers only. 22 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIPE. The twisting-engine which has been here men- tioned, 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 watchmaker or whitesmith with very slight direc- tions. 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 resemblance to the wheels 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 as to pre- vent its being untwisted by the action of the instrument; for should one of the threads be THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 23 improperly placed, it will require an increased 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 introduced, by means of small quills, into the tubes, and twisted (per- haps 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 ob- serve 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 minutes in water, before using, it will spin much better than if used quite dry. The mode of choosing it, by trying or pulling, cannot be too much cen- sured, as the hair will, beyond a doubt, resume its original form, and thereby raise knots, which 24 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 re- quires the silk or hair to be fastened to the iron hooks in front, and then twisted together. The same recipes will answer for staining hair which are used for silkworm-gut ; but natural colours always claim the preference, and care must be taken not to allow oil to approach the hair, as it infallibly causes it to rot. HOOKS. 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 in Plate II., figs. 1, 2, 3, 4. Although generally considered of minor impor- I-JL^Ta (j L T W9wr Wr THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 25 tance 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 cer- tainly, in a great measure, depends. It is neces- sary to have the hooks perfectly tempered ; that is, of such a degree of firmness that they will not bend, and yet not so hard as to snap readily. The best method of ascertaining whether or not the hooks be properly tempered, 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 angling 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 dress- ing flies upon are to be preferred, if the shank taper towards the head, which adds greatly to the neatness of the workmanship. £ 26 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. The Limerick hooks are not usually straight, but form a curve^ like the division of an inter- sected circle. This form is certainly objection- able^ 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 frequently 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 sufiiciently. 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, then, can they be expected successfully to resist the active exertions of an irritated trout, struggling for liberty in its own element, which the want of a proper barb tends to THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 2^ render easily attainable, by enlarging the orifice, instead of securing to the angler the anticipated prize ? The Sneckbend, as it is commonly called, di- verges 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 5 but their judgment is certainly erroneous, for it fre- quently happens that the fish discovers the de- ceit, or in rising short, misses the artificial fly : the angler very naturally strikes at that instant, and will very often scratch the fish, owing en- tirely to the lateral projection of the barb, which, if it were level with the shank, would almost invariably be avoided. The straight Kirby hooks approach the de- sideratum, in shape and temper, nearer than any other manufacture (see Plate II., fig. 4) ; unless the Kendal hooks could be improved in the form of the barb, and divested of the super- 28 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. fluous length of point, in which case they would be upon an equal footing. These remarks will probably meet with oppo- sition from prejudiced anglers, some of whom may be deemed skilful in the art ; but as they have not been hastily or partially framed, it is hoped the beginner will profit by adopting them, in preference to the partialities which habit may have rendered familiar to those who have practised for years. GUT AND WEED. The directions which are necessary for choos- ing 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, occular de- monstration will prove that white is the least perceptible colour. A few recipes for staining THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 29 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 affording greater security ; but in fine bright waters a good round single hair will manifest a decided superiority in raising fish; and the delicate skill required for the management of them when hooked, en- hances the pleasure of the experienced prac- titioner. 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 for staining gut were given to the author as choice and valuable recipes, and their efficacy is indisputable; 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 30 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 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 long 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 ; then boil them 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 foregoing, viz : — Stain your gut in strong tea, lukewarm, with the addition of a small quantity of logwood scrapings, for twenty- four hours, and it will be an excellent colour ; or another equally common beverage, coffee, will, if made strong, by the THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 31 assistance of a little alum, impart a fine brown colour to the gut or hair. THE REEL. Although the multiplying reel is now in ge- neral use, the advantages which are set forth in its favour are more than counterbalanced by the frequent disappointment which the angler is liable to from its imperfections. The fact is, that the power of the wheels, as now arranged, is inadequate to move a comparatively small weight at a trifling distance. To be convinced of the truth of this observation, it is simply ne- cessary to fasten a piece of wood of a couple of pounds weight to the end of a reel line, and throw 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 j and it will not be without 32 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. considerable difficulty that he succeeds in accom- plishing his object. With respect to greater weights, when supported 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. On the other hand, the common plain pillar reels bear an even and steady pull upon the ex- treme weight ; and though more tedious, they are more to be depended upon for certainty and security. The multiplying reels possess the advantage of winding up and letting out the line with greater despatch, and where the fish do not ex- THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 33 ceed half a pound in weight, they may be pre- ferable ; but a few seconds of time are not an object of consideration to the steady angler, whose chief reliance is on the firmness and cor- rect formation of his tackle. An improvement in the principle of multiply- ing 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 mechanic, as their defects are almost universally complained of. Since the publication of the first edition of this work, the writer has had a reel constructed upon a new principle, which succeeds much better than multiplying wheels upon the old plan. By means of a projecting box, he has been enabled to introduce a larger cog wheel, and consequently to obtain an increase of power, as well as velocity. Some reels are fastened to the rods by means of nails, which is the most secure method^ but F 34 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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, pass- ing over both ends of the brass groove : others have a ring attached 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. THE PANNIER. The fishing pannier should be of neat light wicker work, broad at the bottom, and narrow- ing 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 of the basket ought to be sufficiently large to admit, without the slight- est degree of force or pressure, a trout of half a pound weight. For salmon fishers they are sometimes made of a different form, with ends THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 35 projecting from the main body of the pannier, and so shaped as to contain a tolerably well- grown fish at full length. POCKET BOOKS AND CABINET. Every angler ought to be furnished with at least two pocket books. The one for containing 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, for holding an assortment of every material necessary for dressing a fly, is commonly made to suit the fancy of the pro- prietor, but should consist of numerous divi- sions, 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 opportunity of gra- tifying his inclination for this pursuit as often 36 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. as he pleases, should have a small cabinet of drawers, in which he may keep his furs, wings, &c., 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 ought to be , formed of cedar wood, which, aided by the in- troduction of camphire, all-spice, alum and to- bacco leaves, will eff'ectually preserve the feathers and skins from the injurious devastation of the moths ; for without these precautions, the inces- sant attacks of these destructive insects would soon render the collection entirely useless. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 37 TYING OR DRESSING FLIES. Necessity of adjusting the materials and testing their qualities pre- vious to commencing — Stripping the hackles — Examination of the gut — Preparation of the dubbing — Waxing the silk — Strip- ping feathers from the wing — Instructions for tying the fly. 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 formation of the artificial fly, which will therefore first claim attention. Whether a common hackle or a dubbed winged fly is to be manufactured, it is invariably necessary to have the whole of the materials which are to compose the imitations properly adjusted previ- ous to the commencement of the operation. First. — The hackles stripped, or divested of the soft downy feathers which grow nearest the 38 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. root^ and turned back ready for twisting on the hook. See Plate 11., figs. 7 and 8. Second. — The gut carefully examined^ and tried by moderately pulling it in proportion to the weight expected to be held by it. This precaution will frequently save the angler much disappointment, by discovering defects not ap- parent to the eye. Third. — ^The dubbing properly mixed to the exact colour of the body of the natural fly, a small proportion of which should be moistened, and held up to the light; for the camlets and furs, when wet, generally become several shades darker than when in a dry state, and in some instances assume a totally different hue. Fourth. — The silk well waxed with a colour lighter than the body of the fly, and a hook cautiously tried as to temper, and prudently selected as to size. Fifth. — The wings must be stripped from the feathers by an even but sudden pull; and for the instruction of the beginner, representations THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 39 are given in Plate II., figs. 5, 6, and 10, of the feathers before stripping, and their appear- ance when prepared for fastening on the hook. Everything being thus in a state of readiness, the hook must be first fastened to the finest end of the gut with waxed silk, beginning (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 of the silk con- tinued until it reaches the end of the shank. Having reached this point, it must be turned again, as if to retrace 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 fig. 13, and wrapped on the hook for nearly half the pro- posed 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 manage- ment of the hackle. If the body is to be com- posed of peacock or ostrich harl, it ought to be 40 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 diffi- culty in twisting it firmly on the hook, with the fingers only ; but if small,, a pair of neat pliers, which close together by a spring, will be found of great utility in winding the turns of the hackle close under each others and, if pliers be want- ing, 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 entangled picked out by means of a needle. The silk^ with the dub- bings 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 un- natural appearance. A single loop will keep the whole together until the dubbing be picked THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 41 out, and the hackle properly arranged, when the fastening off must be effected, by making three or four loose turns of the silk, at such a distance from the hook as to admit of the end being passed under them, as shown in Plate II., fig, 9. The loose turns must then be wrapped closely on the hook, and the end drawn tight, which will so completely secure the fastening, that, if neatly managed, it will be difficult to discover where the fly has been finished. This mode of fastening is called the invisible knot. In making a winged fly, the same method may be observed with respect to whipping the hook to the gut, as far as the fastening in the hackle; after which, instead of returning im- mediately with the silk, in order to form the head of the fly, the wings must be fastened before the dubbing is wound. Some persons fix the wings to the hook with the root nearest the bend, and force the points or narrow ends of the fibres back afterwards, making use of the short remains of the roots to effect the division 6 42 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. of the wings. This method, however, is tedious, and difficult to be understood by a young prac- titioner. The most simple mode of proceeding is, to fix the wings on the shank of the hook length- wise, with the narrowest ends nearest the bend, fastening them by three or four turns of the silk above or nearest the head of the hook, and then cutting the root ends close, with a small pair of scissors ; after which the silk must be brought below the wings, and the body twisted, for a short distance, as in the hackle fly. The hackle must be wound once round the hook at the head, which will conceal the ends of the cut fibres, and add greatly to the neat- ness of the fly. If the wings are to be divided, they may be separated equally by a needle, and the hackle brought down between them, (see fig. 11,) and wound again round the hook for two turns below, where the silk will be found in readiness to fasten it. If it be not necessary to divide the wings. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 43 after making one turn at the head with the hackle, it should be brought immediately below them, and twisted as before. The fastening off is to be managed in the same manner as in the common hackle fly ; but it is almost impossible to convey clear instructions for the dressing of a fly, as particular circumstances or materials may occasionally require a different process, which the invention of the operator will best suggest. It is strongly recommended to the beginner attentively to watch some skilful fly- maker, and in the progress of his work make such inquiries as he may deem requisite ; from which greater facility and neatness are to be acquired, than from any written description whatsoever. The remarks upon tying flies being thus concluded, the reader is referred to Plate II., figs. 14 and 15, which exhibit a hackle and winged fly, as they appear when finished. But before quitting the subject altogether, the writer cannot avoid expressing a wish that, for the benefit of those who are not disposed to 44 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. direct their attention to this branch of the art, the makers of artificial flies for sale would de- vote as much care to the firmness and security, as they do to the neatness of their workmanship, in which, (as exhibited at some of the tackle shops in London and Dublin), it must be ac- knowledged, no one can surpass them. It is, however, frequently the case that, after a few throws of the line, some part of the materials gives way, and the bare hooks remain openly exposed to the passing " inhabitants of the liquid element,^' much to the mortification of the per- son using them. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 45 INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANGLING. Directions for using the tackle — Three flies commonly used — Short line best for novices to throw — How to acquire the manage- ment of it — ^Angler not to approach too near the bank — When to strike the fish— Method of landing it — Suitable dress for the angler. The young angler being now furnished with every requisite, as enumerated in the foregoing pages, will anxiously proceed to the banks of some river, in order to try his success. His rod must be so fixed, that the rings may remain in a straight line from the handle to the point. The reel, with the line wound upon it, of such length as the breadth of the water may require, must be fastened firmly under the butt of the rod, so that the handle may be on the right side ; for if it be above, the rod will never play correctly. The line being passed through the rings, a loop should be fixed to the end, and the taper foot line of twisted hair attached 46 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. \ thereto, to which the gut, which ought to be at least three yards in length, is to be fastened. i An experienced fly fisher will use three, or ] even a greater number of flies at one time. The '{ point fly, which should be fastened to the foot ; line by a water knot, in preference to a loop, ■ ^ must invariably be the largest, or the line cannot l be thrown neatly. The first dropper should be I placed at the distance of a yard from the point J fly, and fastened by a loop close to a knot in J the gut line : the length of this dropper may be '■ about ^htee inches. ^^*-^o j The second dropper, which should be smaller than the first, is to be fastened within eighteen i inches from it — length of the gut about fo»r^C^ ' inches and a half ; and if a third be required, the j distance should not exceed a foot from the second, and the gut on which the fly is whipped should • be longer than either of the other droppers, in ' order that they may all play upon the water toge- i ther, without sinking the main line. It will, how- ' ever, be generally found that three flies are amply \ \ i THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 4/ sufficient ; and most frequently it is best to have the point fly winged, and the droppers hackles. Some persons prefer introducing the dropper between two running or slip knots, which plan is certainly neater, and afibrds greater facility when a change is desired ; but its equal security t^ may be questioned. When a novice first attempts to throw a line, he must begin with a short length, which can be increased as he finds the management of it be- come easy to him. Care must be taken that, in passing the line behind the back, it be permitted to attain the full extent before any attempt is made to return it ; for if this point be not strictly attended to, the end fly will crack oif at every throw ; to avoid which, it is recommended to begin by throwing the line without any fly^ for a short space of time, until the proper ma- nagement of the rod is acquired ; and afterwards to angle with the point fly only, until such pro- ficiency be attained as may authorize the addition of the droppers. 48 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. In fly fishing, the person who is most expert in throwing a considerable length of line, and has a quick sight, and obedient hand for striking, will be the most successful. To keep as far from the bank as possible is particularly desirable ; and if the wind be at the back of the angler, and his shadow prevented from appearing upon the water, so much the better. The principal object in throwing the line is^ that it may be extended in such a manner, that the point fly may first lightly touch the water, without disturbing it in a greater degree than the actual alighting of the natural fly. Throwing the fly directly opposite, or rather above the angler, and playing it gently across the stream, as it floats downwards, is most to be recommended ; for to force it against the current is unnatural, indepen- dent of the ruffling of the water which such a bad practice occasions, and which, instead of alluring, will infallibly frighten the fish. The moment of the water being disturbed or THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 49 ruffled, by the fish rising, must be carefully watched for by the fisherman, as at that critical instant he must strike, in order to hook his prey; for the fish having discovered the deceit, the least delay will enable it to escape. A very slight inclination or turn of the hand is sufficient to fix the barb of the hook, as if too great violence be used, the hook or line will be greatly endan- gered, and the water disturbed by the mad strug- gles of the lacerated sufferer. If the fish be of good size, and the hook be firmly fixed, the first consideration is to keep the rod upright ; or even, by forcing the butt for- ward, to throw the point of it over the shoulder of the angler, which will tend greatly to fatigue the fish, if it should not be necessary to give it additional line from the reel. When found to be sufficiently exhausted, it must be either taken out of the water by means of a landing-net, or drawn on to a shelving gravel-patch or bank. When the rod is greatly agitated by the strug- gling of the fish, it is advisable to give it a greater 50 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. length of line, as it may be presumed that the size of the straggler is greater than common^ and the additional weight of line, besides giving faci- lity to the angler, and easing the strain upon his tackle, will more speedily exhaust the power of the fish^ and render it an easier captive. When a trout is observed to rise of his own accord^ the flies must not be thrown directly over him, but about a yard higher in the stream, so that they may float down to his view, without the fear of agitating the water ; and if upon hooking a fish he be observed to leap frequently out of the water, it will require the utmost care of the angler to secure him, as he may calculate upon the barb being only slightly fixed : on the contrary, if the fish remain below the water and struggle at the bottom, there need be little fear of his escaping, as the hook will be found to be firmly fastened. Although many persons have ridiculed the idea of attention being paid to the colour of the dress of an angler, it is certainly of some importance THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 51 to avoid glaring or bright colours, and, above all, metal buttons. A dark bottle-green, as ap- proaching nearly to the colour of the earth and foliage of the trees, is to be preferred to any other shade. Any recipe as to keeping the feet dry would be misplaced amongst directions to the keen fisherman ; for the advantages of wading and crossing the stream are so frequently mani- fest, that few young persons can be deterred (by the mere fear of wetting their legs) from endea- vouring to participate in the diversion which the wader will almost constantly command, by being enabled to throw his flies under bushes, and over the most secret retirements of the objects of his amusement. Some persons, it is true, hold out objections to this practice, by bringing to imagi- nary view rheumatism and agues, in their most dismal colouring, as the consequences of such an act ; but whilst the body is in exercise, little is to be apprehended from these objects of terror. Many instances might be brought forward in corroboration of this assertion, in the persons of 52 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. men who have followed this practice from youth upwards, and arrived at extreme old age, without having experienced the slightest inconvenience or ill consequences from the daily immersion of their legs. To remain long in one station is reprehensible; and it is absolutely necessary to substitute dry clothing for such as may have become wet by the operations of the day, immediately on arriving at the house of rest or refreshment. With these precautions the angler may, if possessed of a good natural constitution, bid defiance to the effects of the element, which his prejudiced or timid friends would set forth as objections to deter him from the perfect enjoyment of an innocent and favourite amusement. If situation or other circumstances should render it unplea- sant, or not easily practicable to- the wader, every time he hooks a fish to draw it to the shore, he will find that, after played with for some time, by pulling it with an even but somewhat rapid motion, it will be incapable of much action on THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 53 reaching his hand ; so that he may without diffi- culty extract the hook, and lodge the fish safely in his pannier, before the temporary stupefaction is removed. In fishing in the evening, it will occasionally happen that bats and swallows, mistaking the artificial for the natural fly, will hook themselves, instances of both having occurred to the author more than once ; and the celebrated angler of the Dee, John Edwards, has assured him that, on one occasion, whilst fishing rather late, with one of the moths, he hooked an owl, which, after a long struggle, he succeeded in securing ! 54 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. PROPER SEASONS AND TIMES FOR ANGLING. Commencement of the season — Easterly and northerly winds un- favourable for fly fishing — A moderately warm breeze advan- tageous — Good time for sport after a flood, except in hay-time or harvest — Morning and evening best times for fly fishing. Before proceeding to treat of the haunts and descriptions of the different kinds of fish which rise at the fly, a few remarks on the seasons and most favourable times for angling, may not be here misplaced. Although fish are to be taken with the fly in every month throughout the year, which the writer of this treatise, by way of experiment, succeeded in proving, yet but little diversion is to be expected until the beginning of March ; unless, indeed, the spring be unusually early, and the weather warm, in which case the fish run sooner, and sport may occasionally be met with THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 56 in February. But until the snow water disap- pears entirely, and the severe night frosts dis- continue, the angler cannot calculate, with any degree of certainty, upon meeting with much amusement. Easterly and northerly winds, in the spring and autumn, are generally unfavourable to sport, as the fish resort to the deep pools, for greater warmth than is afforded them by the shallow streams, where they remain at the bottom^ afraid to encounter the severity of these piercing blasts ; but, in the summer, if accompanied by a cloudy atmosphere, good diversion may be obtained with the wind in these points. A warm breeze, if not too violent,, is at all times favourable to the fly fisher, particularly if salmon be his object ; for which purpose the hours from eight till eleven in the morning, and from three until six in the evening, are most eligible. After a clear bright night, if the day be dark and lowering, fish usually rise freely, having been 56 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. prevented from roving in search of food by the brightness of the moon ; so, on the contrary, after a dark gloomy night, but few good fish are to be taken until the approach of evening, as, having been glutted with the moths and other insects (which the night produces in almost as great abundance as the day), they are not upon the watch for food, but retire to their holds. When the waters have subsided after a flood, and are beginning to assume their natural colour, an opportunity is presented to the angler which he ought on no account to let slip, as he is almost sure to meet with excellent diversion^ unless it happen to be in shearing time or the hay harvest; for, in the former case, the fish are uncommonly shy, having been frequently de- ceived, by mistaking the particles of wool, which the current brings down, for their natural food ; and in the latter, the grass and hay which (if the rivel" pass through meadows) cover the surface of the water will prove so troublesome, that the pursuit is most commonly unsuccessful. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 57 The best times of the day for fly fishing, as before mentioned, are morning and evening ; but when the rivers and brooks become narrow and low, by long droughts, it is of little use to attempt this method. In such state of the water the most successful way of taking trout is by means of a pair of wings made from the fea- ther of a landrail, or the mottled feather of a teal, with a well cleansed gentle fixed upon the hook; which bait proves very alluring, if sunk about two inches under the water. 58 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. FISH WHICH TAKE THE FLY. The Salmon— The Trout— The Gravel Fry— The Grayling or Um- ber—The Graining— The Gray Mullet— The Chub, Chevin or Chavinder — ^The Bleak — The Roach and the Dace. THE SALMON. As this beautiful and delicious fish spends a considerable portion of its life in the sea, it can hardly with propriety be considered a fresh-water fish ; yet, as it is to be found in most of our rivers which have direct communication with the ocean, and as it is productive of such very supe- rior diversion to the angler, it has been generally usual, in treatises of this description, to give it precedence as the king of fishes. Inasmuch as the use of the fly surpasses every other mode of angling, in the same ratio is the angling for salmon superior to common trout fishing. The following extract, as being in unison with the ideas of the compiler, he has THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 59 ventured to copy from the Edinburgh Encyclo- paedia. Under the article Angling is observed^ — ^' It is most common, before a person becomes a salmon angler, that he has passed his noviciate in trout fishing ; yet even then he will require a few instructions for the prosecution of this more important and delightful branch of angling. '^ Composure, patience, and perseverance, are indispensible qualifications for all the followers of this art, but more especially for the salmon angler. He must lay his account with frequently beating the waters in vain exertion, in being long wet and weary, ere he can (to use the fisher^s expression) move a fin ; and when he does, to be perhaps then only mocked with a wanton rise, or a false bite ; or should he at last prevail in luring the salmon to his fly, and after working and playing him through many streams and through many pools, he brings him within his reach, and then thinks he is to take possession of his prize, in a moment the tackle snaps, and all is gone. Such, with many other disappoint- 60 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. ments, await the angler ; but these ought not to make him fretful, nor give up the pursuit, — he must persevere, in hopes of better sport. In this point of view, the course he has to steer is a fine practical lesson in the economy of human life. '^Many writers on angling have given various directions for the dress that should be worn, how to counteract the effects of moisture, and what drink to take while you are employed in this amusement. These are principally to use water- proof boots and shoes, and to make them the more secure, to lard them well with mutton suet, in order to keep the feet and legs perfectly dry ; to sit upon a piece of coarse woollen cloth, doubled two or three times ; and while warm to avoid the drinking of small liquors. Such ad- vices may well suit float and gudgeon fishers ; but the salmon angler must laugh at such ideas. He had better, indeed, never begin the occupa- tion, if he has not a constitution strong enough to wade in deep and rapid rivers, during all the hours of the day, and be able to bear every THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 61 vicissitude and eager extremity of both sky and water. ^' As the spirited and skilful navigator does not lie in a harbour waiting for a favourable wind, but goes to sea to seek for one, so the keen and knowing angler does not sit at home to watch for a fortunate prognostication, or change of weather, but takes it as it comes, and repairs to the river to ply his skill in rousing the finny race to his artful lures. There is scarcely any time, unless when it thunders, or when the water is thick with mud, but you may chance to tempt the salmon to rise to an artificial fly. But the most propitious and critical moments are un- doubtedly when, clearing after a flood, the water has turned to a light whey, or rather brown colour; when the wind blows pretty fresh, ap- proaching almost to a mackerel gale (if not from the north), against the stream or course of the river; when the sun shines through showers, or when the cloudy rack runs fast and thick, and at intervals discovers the fine blue ether from above. 62 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. In these situations of the water and of the wea- ther^ you may always depend upon excellent sport." Although salmon are partial to a cold climate^ and are not to be met with in the Mediterranean, or warm latitudes, yet they are seldom to be found in quantities in rivers which are liable to be completely impeded by the severity of frost. Our own kingdom seems most congenial to their inclination and nature ; for, as before observed, they are to be 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 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 63 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 hovering over the water, consequently are more 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 dragon fly ; and it will sometimes happen that a trout fisher with small flies will succeed in raising the fish, immediately after an angler 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 III. In trout fishing, when salmon frequent the streams, it is necessary to use stronger tackle than might otherwise be advisable. An instance 64 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 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 single, and not of that description which, from its ex- treme 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 hooked, 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. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 65 by running along the side of the river. On reaching the head of a current, it will probably throw itself out of the water several times, appa- rently 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 occa- sion ; but as soon as opportunity offers, it must be wound again upon the reel. Disappointed in these fruitless efforts, and maddened by the dis- appointments, it may probably return with in- creased 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 frequently 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 head, so as not to endanger the line, will generally produce the desired effect; and if it so happen that it K DO THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 permitted 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, approach- ing 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 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 gene- rally first animated in February, when they direct THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 67 their course towards the sea, occasionally 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 ex- cellent 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 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 68 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 baskets 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 catch such im- mense numbers of samlets, that, for want of knowing what to do with them, they have been under the necessity of throwing them to the pigs. THE TROUT. Of all fresh water fish, this is the most beauti- ful, and, next to the salmon, is most esteemed by the angler for the diversion it affords. The form of the trout is long, 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 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. Oil 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 imagine that there are three distinct kinds of this fish, viz., the red, the yellow, and the white, the former of which ranks highest in estimation ; but the more generally received and most probable opinion is, that this difference arises from the quality of the food, or from the water which they inhabit being impreg- nated with some substance capable of producing this effect. Certain it is, that their haunts, vo- racity, and modes of feeding, are every- where alike. They spawn about the latter end of October or beginning 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 situations for spawning; for which purpose they generally prefer brooks. 70 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. where gravely or sand mixed with small stones, abounds, in which they root a bed for this de- posit. This being effected, they appear quite exhausted, and wasting away, become soft and lean. In this state they are attacked by a worm, vulgarly called the water louse, which they have not strength to rid themselves of, until reinvigo- rated by the genial warmth of the sun's rays, on the approach of spring, when they quit the still deep water, where they have remained inactive . during the winter months, and revisit the strong streams, the force of which soon frees them from this disagreeable insect; which being accom- plished, they speedily regain their activity and vigour, and in the month of May are in high season. The favourite haunts in which the trout de- lights, 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 ot trees are exposed by the bank having fallen THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 71 in — under hollow banks ; and an excellent mode of enticing a good fish is to throw the fly against the opposite 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, &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, aflixed 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. 72 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. THE GRAVEL FRY. 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, Forktail, Brandling, Shedder, Sampson, and Par, has not been hitherto explained in a satisfactory manner. They are only to be found in rivers frequented 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 pre- vented from regaining the sea, become sick, and incapable of the regular functions of nature. On the sides of this fish are dark marks or streaks, such as would be left by the hand if im- mersed in colour, whence it derives the name of the "fingering.'' Some contend that they never exceed in length eight inches, or in weight a THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 73 quarter of a pound ; whilst others assert that, ou visiting the sea^ they change their form in some points, lose the dark marks on their sides, and return to the rivers several 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 mountain 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 surprising that some ex- perienced naturalist has not directed his attention to the observation of its haunts and habits, to settle the points in dispute. These fish afford the angler great diversion, as they will rise at the fly at almost all times ; and even when the water is extremely low, from long droughts, or when the sun is shining in all his splendour, they may be taken in consider- able quantities. They are of exquisite flavour, L 74 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. Hc^ and if properly potted^ the char of our northern lakes is not to be preferred, as a delicate mor9eau for the palate of an epicure. THE GRAYLING OR UMBER, Like the trout, delights in the streams of moun- tainous countries, but is by no means common to all rivers which produce the latter ; and it is rather remarkable that it is not to be met with either in Scotland or Ireland. The rivers in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Shropshire and Stafford- shire, and the Dee, which runs through a con- siderable portion of North Wales, will, how- ever, furnish them in sufficient numbers for the angler's amusement. They are also to be met with in the Severn, the Ure, the Usk, the Hodder, and some streams in Wiltshire, Herefordshire, and Hampshire. In France and Switzerland they are found in moderate quantities, and are greatly esteemed. The title of grayling appears to have been THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 7^ given to this fish from the gray silver colour of its sides ; that of umber to be derived from the Latin umbra^ a shadow, which the rapidity of its motions authorizes, inasmuch as, when swim- ming, it darts with such velocity as to give the semblance to the eye of the flitting of a shadow, rather than the actual movement of an animated substance. The grayling is longer, and not so round as the trout, and somewhat resembles the dace in form : it seldom exceeds sixteen inches in length, has no teeth, but the lips are rough like a file. When in season, the back is of a dark colour, nearly approaching to black, and the sides gray : the head is rather small, with prominent eyes. When first taken out of the water they have a peculiar smell, said to be occasioned by their feeding upon water thyme, whence the Lathi name Thymallus is supposed to have been given to them. For flavour, they are preferred by many to the trout. They are most in season in the winter ; but even at the time of spawning. 76 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. which is in May, they do not lose their flesh and beauty, as trout and salmon do. The haunts of the grayling are in every respect the same as those of the trout, and both will be frequently taken from the same streams. They rise very freely at the fly, and are not easily de- terred from renewing their attempts to seize the bait, even should they be unsuccessful in several trials, provided they do not feel the hook. Their mouths are so tender, that it will require the utmost caution of the angler, after he has hooked his fish, to prevent the barb from breaking its hold. Most writers, in treating of this fish, have stated that it struggles but for a very short time, and is therefore productive of little diversion ; but the contrary is not unfrequently the case, as they will struggle with extreme violence, until quite exhausted by their efforts to free them- selves from the instrument which causes their distress. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 77 THE GRAINING. It is rather remarkable that this fish has escaped the notice of all our naturalists, except Mr. Pennant ; and it is not less extraordinary, that it should be found only in the rivers con- nected with the Mersey, in Lancashire. Mr. Pennant^s observations on this fish, extracted from his "Journey to Scotland,'' vol. i., p. 11, are here subjoined : — " In the Mersey, near Warrington (and in the river Alt, which runs by Sephton, Lancashire, into the Mersey, near Formby), a fish, called the graining, is taken, which in some respects resem- bles the dace ; yet it is a distinct, and perhaps new species. The usual length is seven inches and a half, and it is rather more slender than the dace: the body is almost straight, that of the other incurvated : the colour of the scales in this is silvery, with a bluish cast — those of the dace have a yellowish or greenish tinge : the eyes, the 78 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. ventral and the anal fins, in the graining, are a pale colour."' As they rise freely at the fly, they afford 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, dressed upon small hooks, will generally prove successful. Another very killing method, is the sandy feather of a landrail, dressed as for the wings 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 brandling and gilt-tail are most to be depended upon. THE GRAY MULLET Is by no means common in the northern coun- ties, and but rarely to be found in Scotland; THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 79 whereas, on the southern coasts it is 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 angler will be more certain, — the writer having thus occasionally taken them, whilst angling for salmon, near Rhyddlan Castle, where the rivers Clwydd and Elwy meet the salt water. 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 compressed : 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. 80 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. THE CHUB, CHEVIN, OR CHAVINDER. 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 they make no play, and are good for nothing when caught, it must be considered mortifying to be plagued by them when in expectation of nobler game : in fact, in so little estimation 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. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 81 they may be serviceable in preparing him for the better management of the more active objects, trout and salmon. THE BLEAK Is a small delicate fish, scarcely ever attaining to six inches in length. The body is covered with thin silver scales, and the back is of a greenish colour. On account of their dexterity in catch- ing flies, they are frequently called the water swallow. They are in season all the year, except the month of May, which is the time for their spawning. As they are to be found in almost all our inland rivers, and being 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 ROACH AND THE DACE, Dare, or, as it is sometimes called, the Showier or Shallow, will also rise at the fly greedily ; but M 82 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. as they are so generally known, a separate de- scription of them is deemed mmecessary. By sinking his flies a little under the water, the angler will find his advantage when fishing for roach. This fish spawns in May, and it is easy to dis- tinguish whether it be in season or otherwise; 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 principal differences between them, as their haunts and manners afc 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 participated in the pleasures of salmon or trout angling, would feel dissatisfied with this diversion. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 83 | 'i i The fish thus described are believed to be all j worthy the angler's notice, and are accustomed j to take the fly as their natural food. It is true, instances have occurred of the pearch, pike, and ^' C^^ even eels, being taken with the artificial fly ; but \ as such occurrences are uncommon, it would be i inconsistent to class them with the fish mentioned in the preceding pages. ] 84 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. ARTIFICIAL FLIES. It now remains to proceed to the description of the materials used in the formation of the flies represented 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 repre- senting 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 imi- tator to adopt, as to the colours of his materials, than any written description, it is hoped that they will, in some degree, prove useful and ad- vantageous 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. Certain it is, that the ephemeral aquatic insects, which the sun's THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 85 genial rays animate in succession, 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, &c. Yet to compile a trea- tise of this description vrould require the obser- vation and deep attention of a Linnaeus. Such, therefore, only, as practical experience has point- ed out to be worthy of selection, are represented ; and it is presumed they will be found sufficient to answer the purposes, and meet the wishes of the reasonable angler. Accurately to enumerate the different names by which the several flies are distinguished would be impossible, as the neighbouring 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 numbers and the number of the plate. The remainder are no doubt well known to the ex- perienced angler by some denomination or other ; but as name can add little to his information or success, when he has the representation before S6 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. him, they will be described in the order in which they appear on the plates. 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 blackish feather of a turkey ; body of orange camlet, mixed with a little mohair ; and a dusky red, or bright brown cock's hackle, plucked from the back, where the fibres are longest, for legs ; hook same size as represented m 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 sharpness of the steel may not speedily cut it. As the season advances, the same fly may be dressed with the wings of a brighter shade, and FlLA!iriE 3 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 87 the addition of a little gold wire or thread, wrapped neatly round the body, at equal dis- tances. Wire or tinsel should be preferred to thread, as they retain the lustre longer, and are more showy in the water. No. 2 is of smaller size, and may occasionally be dressed upon very strong single gut. Any feather of a copper or dirty yellow colour, which is not too coarse in the fibres, will answer for the wings, and may be found on the domestic hen, turkey, or the landrail ; the body of lemon- coloured mohair, mixed with a small portion of light brown fur or camlet; and a pale dusky ginger hackle over the whole. The main object to be observed in dressing this fly is, that the wings, body, and hackle, be as nearly as possible of the same shade ; from which, and being devoid of tinsel or any gaudy colours, it has been deno- minated the quaker Jiy. No. 3. Although the colours of this fly are of a sombre cast, it is, nevertheless, frequently used in summer with success. The wings are to be OO THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. procured from the cormorant^ or the mottled feather of the mallard, if very dark ; body of dark sable, ribbed with gold wire_, over which a dusky red hackle should be thickly wound ; for the tail, the mottled feathers of the drake; and before fastening off, a little flos silk should be un- ravelled, and fastened at the extremity of the work. No. 4 differs materially from those preceding, and is given in order to describe the method of dressing gaudy flies ; which, however fanciful or varied in shade or materials, will frequently raise fish when all the imitations of nature have proved unsuccessful. Indeed, so fastidious and whimsical are the salmon at times, that the more brilliant and extravagant the fly, the more certain is the angler of diversion. The fly thus given as a spe- cimen is formed as follows : the wings^ the extreme end of the feather of a guinea-fowl, not stripped, but having the feather left on both sides of the stem : a blood- red hackle should be fastened on with the wings, and so arranged as to extend THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 89 beyond them. The dyed feathers used by oflacers in the army answer very well for this purpose, if those from the macaw cannot be procured. The body is best made of the harl of an ostrich, dyed to correspond with the red feather intro- duced, with a bright yellow hackle over it. The beautiful green feather, which forms the eye of the peacock^s tail, should be fastened at the head, and left hanging downwards, so as to cover the body for nearly half an inch ; and a few strips of the same part of the feather may be fastened at the tail. In the dressing of the gaudy flies for salmon, the maker may exercise his fancy as he pleases, for it is impossible for him to be too extravagant in his ideas. The only caution necessary to be given, is, that he should avoid introducing too great a weight of gold or silver wire, which will prevent the fly from being thrown neatly, and will cause it to sink too much under the water. For the same reason beads, which are sometimes used to represent the bright prominent eyes of the dragon fly, are reprehensible. 90 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. No. 5 is a copy from the common wasp, in the natural state, which has been selected as being a favourite with the salmon peal, mort, or gilse ; and well grown fish will sometimes rise at this fly in preference to any other. It is to be made of the wool of a sheep or other animal, dyed yellow, and a black hackle, twisted at intervals over the body; or vice versa, of a black body and yellow hackle. Wasps, bees and hornets are also the favourite food of chub, at particular times, and are to be employed with success, in dibbing under bushes, &c. Previously to commencing the description of the trout flies, it is necessary to state that, although the greater proportion of those repre- sented in the plates are common to all rivers, yet the time of their appearance will vary in diff'erent counties, according to the temperature of climate and forwardness or otherwise of the season ; correctness, therefore, in the statement of the periods at which they are usually to be found, cannot be attained. The angler's own observa- THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 91 tion will be the best guide in this respect ; and a very trifling degree of attention will soon enable him to distinguish each particular fly at a consi- derable distance, from the peculiarity of its flight, or other marked characteristics. Although the imitation of nature is the princi- pal object to be desired by the fly-maker, yet, in some instances, it will be advisable to enlarge or diminish the proportions of the artificial fly, as the state of the water may require. For instance, if the river be very high, the fly may be dressed larger than nature ; if very low, the size may be reduced, and the body made thinner than the natural fly appears ; and in many cases the fly, dressed as a hackle only, without wings, will succeed better than if made full, by the addition of the feathers used for that purpose. The colours of the flies will also in some instances, as in the stone fly, duns, &c., undergo considerable change as the season advances, generally becoming lighter with the progress of summer: in this, also, the angler's own observation must direct him. 92 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. PLATE IV. No. 1 represents a dark fly, with black body, whick appears very early in March, and some- times even in February ; and as so few flies suit- able for the purposes of the fly fisher are at that time animated, it is to be used with great success during the whole day. The body is made of dark fur, to be obtained from a black water spaniel or rabbit, with a very small proportion of claret- coloured camlet, merely to give the mixture a tinge, when held up to the light ; the wings from the back of the fieldfare or hen blackbird ; and a dusky black hackle for legs. No. 2. The Black Gnat does not appear until nearly the end of April. The body is made with a black strip from an ostrich feather, and must be dressed thick, and rather short ; the wings of a pale starling's feather ; or it is equally neat, if dressed as a hackle, for which purpose a pale dun is most suitable. Although this fly is generally highly praised THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 93 by writers on angling, and by some has been recommended as a standard, or never-failing fly, the character which it has obtained is infinitely too favourable. During several seasons in which the compiler made use of this fly^ he observed that it was neglected by the fish if a grouse hackle was upon the same line, and that his other flies always proved more attractive than the black gnat. But as it is a favourite fly with many persons, and will certainly kill fish when the water is low and fine, to have omitted the description would have been censurable. No. 3. The March Brown or Dun Drake. — This very excellent fly generally appears about the middle of March, and is strongly recom- mended as a good killer from eleven o'clock until three. 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 shown 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 94 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 insure suc- cess to the angler. The wings are made from the dark mottled feather from the tail of a partridge, or mottled feather from the ptarmigan, in its summer plum- age; the body of the fur from the hare's ,ear, intermixed with a small portion of yellow wor- sted, well dubbed together ', a grizzled hackle for legs ; and if the imitator choose to be exact, two fibres from the same feather which composed the wings will enable him to form the tail. This appendage to the flies in their natural state need not be attended to in the artificial formation, as it is of little importance in aiding the success of the angler, although, if flies are dressed for sale, I it improves their appearance, and renders them ^ more showy and attractive. It may also be dressed as a hackle, by means of the spotted fea- ther from a partridge's back, using the same mixture for the body as before described. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 95 No. 4. The Hazle Fly 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 de- structive 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 sandy- coloured feathers from under the wings of a throstle, or from the red feather of a partridge'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 con- siderably. No. 5. The Great Dark Dun is one of the earliest flies which appear upon the water, and may be used in February, if the weather be mild. It has four wings, which are to be imitated by the dun feathers from the wing of a mallard, which have a brownish tinge ; the body of dark 96 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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. The Stone Fly is found near the edge of shallow stony streams^ and is a favourite ar- ticle 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 excel- lent little work on Angling, gives the following account of his success with this fly, at a much earlier period : — ^^The general opinion that it never appears until the middle of April, is a mistaken one. The reason that induces me to trouble you with this digression is to remove the error, by stating a circumstance that I have met with. On the 8th of March, when sitting by the side of a stream to repair my line, I observed a stone fly THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 97 crawling on the gravel. The appearance of a stranger so unexpected (in a cold day), excited my curiosity so far as to make a trial of an arti- ficial one, the result of which was, very great diversion from half- past eleven till one, when the trout ceased rising to it. It was on a deep slow stream that is generally tinged with turbary water ; but I never have found so much success with it upon rapid streams, so early in the season.'^ This fly is the largest of the representations given, being an inch in length, and large in the body. The wings, which are four in number, should not much exceed the length of the body, and are to be made to lie flat ; the mottled feather from a hen pheasant or pea hen is best adapted to this purpose. The body is composed of any dark brown fur : such may be procured from beards skin, or the dark part of the hare's ear, &c., and is to be mixed with yellow camlet or mohair, so that it may appear most yellow near the tail and belly of the fly, with a grizzled 98 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. hackle^ of good length, wrapped under the wings. Some persons^ in imitating this fly, add two hairs from the beard of a black cat, or from the tail of the fulmart or polecat, as representations of the horns ; but, as before observed, attention to such minutiae is unnecessary. Another very general mode of dressing this fly, is by means of a long-fibred grizzled hackle from a cock's back, without wings. It is also a deadly bait, used in the natural state, by dibbing under bushes, and must, in common with all large flies, be invariably used at the point. No. 7« The Mealy Brown or Fern Fly 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 fea- thers should be selected which have the yellowest tinge. The common hen is sometimes to be met with of this shade, in which case her feathers 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. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 99 Attention must be given to the division of the wings, vi^hich should stand as shown in the plate. No. 8. The Blue Dun is in appearance one of the most delicate insects which frequent the water. It is therefore 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 difficult to meet with a feather of the exact shade, or sufficiently deli- cate 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. 100 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. PLATE V. No. 9 is the representation of another variety of the Duns^ being somewhat smaller than the last. It is to be found about the latter end of May, and is a good morning fly. The body of mole-skin, or the fur from a black greyhound ; the wings, which are four in number, are to be dressed in the same form as No. 7^ Plate IV., and are made from the feather of a starling ; and a reddish ginger hackle for legs. This is also a good fly for grayling. No. 10. The Orange Fly has four wings, made from the blue feather of a mallard- teal. The head is of the dark fur from the hare*s ear ; the body gold-coloured mohair, mixed with orange camlet and a little brown fur ; a small blue cock^s hackle for legs. This is an alluring fly to salmon mort, if dressed rather larger than the represen- tation ; and, on a smaller scale, none better can be found for the salmon fry. No. 11. The Cow-dung Fly. Although this is THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 101 not an aquatic insect, being most commonly- found amongst the excrement of animals, it is nevertheless a favourite 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 yellow 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 legs. The wings are to be dressed flat on the back, and the body made full. No. 12. The Yellow Dun is a beautiful insect, and is to be used in the morning and evening, during the months of April and May, and again in September. If martinis fur cannot be pro- cured, the body is made of yellow yarn unravelled, and mixed with a little pale ash-coloured fur, which may be had from a cub fox, near the tail ; the wings from the under part of a snipe's wing, 102 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. and are to be made upright ; with a pale dun hackle for legs. No. 13. The Cream-coloured Fly is an excel- lent bait for grayling, and may be used from May until the end of August. The wings stand up- right, 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 ; or it may be dressed with a cream-coloured hen's hackle over a blue body. No. 14. The Harry Long-legs 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 feather of a partridge for wings ; and a brown cock^s hackle, of good length, for legs ; wings upright, and body taper. No. 15. The Little Iron-blue Fly. These flies are rarely to be seen in mild weather ; but during the month of May they frequent the water in THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 103 considerable numbers on cold windy days. They may be ranked amongst the smallest of the in- sects necessary for 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. There is also a small bird, called the American blue bird, which furnishes feathers admirably adapted to the formation of this fly. It is found abundantly in Pennsylvania, at stated seasons. 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. No. 16. The Gravel or Spider Fly is first seen about the middle of April, at which time the gravel, in which these insects are bred, is literally 104 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. covered by incalculable numbers of them. They are extremely delicate, and not often visible on cold days ; on 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 this favourite food, retire to their secret haunts, and disappoint the most skilful endeavours of the angler. It is probably owing to the short duration of these flies, that the fish are so greedy in devour- ing 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 cuckooes mate, the goat- sucker, or in the absence of the preceding two, from the woodcock ; the body of lead- coloured silk, for the lower and middle parts, and a strip of black ostrich harl for the thick part near the shoulders, round which a small dark grizzled hackle should be twisted twice, and the fly is completed. Ftti^TlB 6 ^ W^ THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 105 PLATE VI. No. 17. The Granam or Green Tail 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 phea- sant ; the body of dark fur from the hare's ear, mixed with a little blue fur ; and for the tail the green harl from 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 represen- tation of nature ; a yellow grizzled hackle should be used for the legs ; or it may be dressed as a 106 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. hackle, with the shaded feather from under a woodcock^s whig over the same body. No. 18 is a representation of the Green Tail, as it appears when on the water, the preceding fly having been drawn with the wings expanded, for the purpose of showing the colour of the body. No. 19. The Hawthorn Fly 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 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 legs. No. 20. The Summer Dun is thicker in form than the generality 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 with ash- coloured silk ; the wings from a wood-pigeon ; THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 10/ and an ash- coloured hackle for legs. A good fly during the summer months, in large waters. No. 21. The Black Harl Fly is also a summer fly, and is a good killer in warm weather, early in the morning. The body is of ostrich harl, dressed thin and cut close ; the wings, which are four in number, from the pale feather of the starling's wing. No. 22. The Orl Fly has every appearance of being produced from a cadis^ and by some has been called the Brown Cadis Fly. The body is large, and is successfully made of that part of the peacock's tail feather which is perfectly free from a green cast ; the wings from the feather of a brown hen ; with a grizzled hackle for legs. The wings are four in number, and should lie flat on the back. If dressed as a hackle, a brown griz- zled feather from the back of a cock is the best ; and the body may occasionally be varied, by the use of the fur from the body of a brown spaniel, mixed with mohair, of a dark red or claret cast, and ribbed with orange silk. It appears about 108 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. the end of May, and continues for two months. It is a good fly at all hours of the day, if the water be not very low. No. 23. The Little Yellow May or Willow Fly resembles the green drake in form, and is com- posed of nearly the same materials, but on a much smaller scale. The body of yellow fur from the martinis neck ; or yellow worsted un- ravelled, and mixed with a very small quantity of the fur from the hare's ear, so arranged that the yellow shall predominate as the colour of the belly ; wings of the mallard's feather, dyed yel- low ; 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. No. 24, a little brown fly which appears in June, and continues until September, is a good fly before sunset in a warm evening. 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. T-Jjj^r:^ jf rj ^ so Vv, ■^ THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 109 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 playfully skims the surface, some- what in the manner of the harry long-legs. No. 26. The Brown Dun.— 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- coloured 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. The Green Drake or May Fly is one of the most beautiful of our English insects, and 110 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 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 gravelly rivulets or brooks, and also on some large rivers and pools ; but their favourite haunts are most commonly the smaller streams, where they are to be used with the best success. They appear about the 20th 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 forked whisks, which, turning up to- wards 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 mohair, or of barber's yellow silk only, warped with pale flos silk, and a small strip of peacock^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. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. HI As no natural feather approaches the resem- blance of the wings of this fly, it is necessary to have recourse to art for the imitation, which may be successfully produced by dying the spotted feathers of a 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. RECIPES For Staining the Mallard's Feather Yellow, 1 . — Take the root of a barberry tree and shave it, and put to it woody vis, with as much alum as walnut, and boil your feathers in it with rain water, and they will be of a very fine yellow.* 2. — 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 in a pint of rain water, in an earthen pitcher, about an * Walton and Cotton's Complete Angler. 112 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. hour, and you will find them the colour you wish.* 3. — When the barberry cannot be readily pro- cured, take of turmeric one ounce, alum half ditto, stone blue quarter ditto, each pounded fine; boil them with the gray feathers 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.t 4. — 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 quantity that you want into a vessel, just cover it 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 * Salter's Modern Angler. f Ibid. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 113 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 ma- terials be in the dye a longer or shorter time.* 5. — Gamboge, dissolved in spirits of wine, will impart a fine yellow to the feathers, if they be first boiled in strong alum water. The two following recipes produce very curi- ous and beautiful imitations of the Green and Gray Drake : — 1. — White, or pale straw-coloured flos silk, ribbed with very fine silk, either black, brown, or copper-coloured, and gold-beater^s skin neatly worked over the whole, which, being transparent, gives the body a rich cream-coloured appearance, such as is to be observed in the natural fly. * Taylor's Angling in all its Branches. Q 114 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 2. — White India rubber properly shaped, and introduced on to the shank, through a hole pre- viously pierced in it, with a needle sufficiently large to admit the shank and gut, when whipped together, to pass through. This has a very natural appearance, if delicately coated with copal varnish. The wings and legs are put on after- wards. No. 28. The Blue Blow is one of the smallest flies worthy the angler'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 topping, as its appear- ance on the water exactly resembles a lump of soot ; the wings may be made of thistle down, or a bluish white hackle. It is a summer fly, but is most abundant during the first fortnight in THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 113 August, when, at about one o'clock in the day, the water is covered with them. No. 29. The Black Midge is another very minute fly, and is dressed with brownish black silk for the body, and a 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. No. 30. The Gray Drake generally succeeds the green drake, although they are sometimes to be seen together in equal quantities. Its dura- tion is about a fortnight : 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-coloured silk, and ribbed with a dark grizzled cock's hackle ; the 116 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. head to be formed of peacock's harl, in the same manner as the 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 managed, if possible, that the wings may not touch the water. No. 31. The Peacock Fly comes on early in the season, and is an excellent fly, on gloomy days, throughout the year. The body is made of dark peacock harl ; the wings from the feathers of the starling, and made to lie flat on the back : a grizzled hackle for legs, to be dressed with mulberry-coloured silk. No. 32. The Cinnamon Fly has four wings, which are large in proportion to the body. They should be dressed full, and made from the pale reddish brown feathers of a hen, which approach the colour of cinnamon; the body of any dark brown fur; and a ginger hackle for legs. Fla/O^E.c^ V J3 4i Ji 25 ^8- "^^ y Jo THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 11? The writer has had excellent diversion with this fly, in the months of August and Septem- ber, in the Welsh rivers ; but has been unable to meet with any description of it in the several treatises upon Angling which he has from time to time perused. A representation is given in " Walton and Cotton's Complete Angler,^^ page 342, plate 13, of a fly which in form exactly resembles this, but is of much larger dimen- sions ; neither do the materials for composing it correspond with the description here given, as to colour, &c. PLATE VIII. Nos. 33 and 34 represent the Sand Fly; the former with the wings raised, in order to show the size of the body, the latter to point out the form in which the fly is to be dressed artificially. This may be considered as one of the best flies for aff'ording diversion which can possibly be selected ; for it may be used successfully, at all 118 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. hours of the day, from April to the end /)£ Sep- tember^ and is equally alluring to trout and grayling. Whilst on the borders of Yorkshire, where, as well as in Cumberland and Westmoreland, the snipe's wing and golden plover's feathers, dressed as hackles, without dubbed bodies, are the favou- rite flies, the writer was induced, by the recom- mendation of an experienced angler, to try them. During the morning, the weight and number of fish taken were nearly equal, say from three to four pounds each. Not satisfied with this diver- sion, as the fish were eagerly rising at something, the idea of trying the sand fly suggested itself ; the consequence of which experiment was, in a very short time, a pannier well filled with fine / trout, amounting in weight to nearly sixteen pounds ; whilst the other party, well acquainted with the river, had not caught half the weight. His astonishment at this success was extreme, as he said he was ignorant of the existence of such a fly. Indeed, so prejudiced are the generality of THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 119 the fishermen of these counties in favour of the flies made from the snipe and plover (which they regard as incomparable), that almost every other description is neglected by them. The wings are made from the sandy-coloured feather of the landrail's wing, with a ginger hackle for legs ; and the bright sandy-coloured fur from the hare's neck, mixed with a very small quantity of orange-coloured mohair, for the body ; or if dressed as a hackle, the feathers from under the throstle's wing are nearest the colour of the wings of the fly. No. 35. The Great Red Spinner is to be used *^^^J^ with effect all the year, particularly when the water is clearing after a flood, and is of a dark brown or red colour. It has four wings : the two uppermost are of a red colour, those imder are transparent, and of a blue shade. It may be made with a starling's feather, and red hackle for the wings, and seal's fur or hog's down, dyed red, and mixed with brown mohair, for the body. Or it may be dressed in the same manner as the 120 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. Marlow Buzz, which is a fly of a similar descrip- tion, but rounder in form and thicker in body, somewhat resembling No. 4, in Plate IV. For this fly the cop per- coloured feather of the pea- cock's tail is used for the body ; and the inesti- mable cock's hackle, which is of perfect red, having a black stripe down the middle, wound pretty full over the body. This and the Sand Fly, before described, may be considered standard flies. No. 36. The Pale Evening Dun approximates to a yellow, and is taken extremely well late in the evening of a calm summer^s day. The body is made of martin's yellow fur, with a little mouse's fur mixed with it; the wings of the mal- lard's feather, dyed of a very pale yellow, or with a pale ginger cock's hackle. The same process will answer for staining this colour as is recom- mended for the green drake ; but it must not be allowed to imbibe too deep a tinge. No. 37. The Blue Gnat is a small delicate fly, and an excellent bait for grayling, in the months THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 121 of September and October. The wings must be made very small, from the snipe's wing 5 or, as is equally to be recommended in all small flies, of a hackle of a bluish dun colour ; the body of dark moleskin, wrapped with bright purple silk. No. 38. The Oak Fly, Downlooker, or Canon Fly, is to be found in April, May, and June, on ash trees, oaks, willows, or thorns, growing near the water. Its head is always pointed downwards, whence it obtains the name of ^^ downlooker.'' The wings are short in proportion to the body, and lie flat on the back. The colours of this fly being various, and unequally mixed, make the imitation difficult. The head, of the fur from the hare's ear; body, under the wings, dun fur, in the middle, orange and yellow, and towards the tail, a brownish dun ; the wings from the feather of a yellowish brown hen ; or it may be made with a bittern's hackle only, without wings. It is an excellent fly both for dibbing in the natural state and using artificially. 122 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. No. 39. The Great Black Ant commonly ap- pears in warm gloomy weather, from the middle of June to the latter end of August. The ant flies are excellent killers from eleven o'clock in the forenoon until six in the evening, and they may be used in still water as well as streams. The wings of this fly are made of the lightest blue feather from under the snipe's wing, or from the tom-tit^s tail. Some make them of thistle down ; but its want of durability is a great objec- tion to the use of this material, unless for a fly that remains on the water for a very short time, which is not the case with the ant flies. The body of black ostrich harl, made thick at the tail, and under the butt of the wings, with a reddish brown hackle for legs. No. 40. The Great Red Ant resembles the pre- ceding in size and form, appears about the same time, and is to be used during the same hours of the day. The wings are to be made of a light starling's feather ; body in the same manner as described for the black ant, of gold- coloured mo- THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 123 hair, or copper- coloured peacock's harl, with a ginger hackle for legs. No. 41 represents the Small Black Ant. Both this and its companion of the same size are to be made of the same materials as directed for the large ants, but (as exhibited) on a much smaller scale. No. 42. The Yellow Sally Fly is to be used early in May, being one of the flies which prepare the fish for the green and gray drakes. In ap- pearance it is extremely delicate. The wings, which are four, lie flat on the back, and are to be made of a dyed feather or hackle; the body of yellow martin's fur, crewel or mohair. The description of the flies represented in the plates being here concluded, it remains only to direct the attention of the reader to such of them as may be considered standard flies, and of which he ought first to make trial, when he visits a river with which he is not familiar. He should 124 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. have two lines, with three flies affixed to each. For the first attempt he may use the March brown (or, later in the season, a reduced fly of the same form and materials) at the point, with a dun hackle, having the body light or dark to suit the day, for the first dropper ; the second dropper a red hackle, with peacock body. If these flies do not raise fish, after trying two or three streams, it will be advisable to change them, and put on the following, viz. ; at the point the sand fly; first dropper, grouse hackle or wren*s tail, with orange body; second dropper, a pale yellow or cream-coloured hackle over a bluish body, or one of the ant flies, as a variety from the preceding five. The bodies of the hackles are to be dressed large or small, in pro- portion to the water. With some of these flies an experienced angler will take abundance of fish all the year round ; and it will be time enough for him to change them, when he shall correctly have ascertained which fly is the favourite of the fish for the time being. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 125 No fisherman should commence his operations in the morning without having a reserve of at least triplicates of his flies ; for he will find it extremely mortifying, should accident deprive him of a particular fly, at which the trout were rising freely, not to have another, of corres- ponding colours and form, to substitute in its place. 126 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. MOTHS, FOR NIGHT FISHING. Although angling by night has a close afl&nity to poaching, and, as such, is beneath the notice of a gentleman ; yet, as in extreme droughts during the summer months it may be difficult to procure a dish of fine fish, however urgent the necessity, and as this method is decidedly more sportsman-like than the use of the net, a descrip- tion of the two baits most likely to succeed is subjoined, for the benefit of such persons as may choose, for the sake of a dish of fish, to expose themselves to the heavy dew of a summer's night. The wings of the White Moth are made from the feather of a white owl; the body of white ostrich harl, and a white cock's hackle over it. If a gentle be added, the success will be more certain. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 127 The wings of the Brown Moth are to be made from the wings of the brown owl, or the back feathers of a brown hen ; the body of dark bear's hair, and a brown cock^s hackle over it. A cad- bait, as being nearer the colour of the body, is preferable to a gentle for this fly. Both these moths are to be dressed rather larger than the green or gray drakes, and may be used until the approach of dawn. The fish will be heard to rise at them very distinctly, at which moment the angler must strike. Method of Preserving Gentles. — These baits having been mentioned several times in the fore- going pages, it may be expected that some instructions should be given as to the method of procuring and preserving them. Take the liver of any animal, and hang it over a barrel, half full of dried clay, and as the gentles grow large they will fall into the barrel and scour themselves, and will be always ready for use ; or, if it be required to keep them all the year, pro- cure some dead animal which is fly-blown, and 128 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. when the gentles begin to be alive and stir, bury the carcase and them together in soft moist earth, free from frost. These gentles may be dug out as they are wanted, and will be fit for use until March, at which time they will turn to flies. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 129 GROUND FISHING FOR TROUT WITH A RUNNING LINE. When the rivers are thick and discoloured, so as to prevent the use of the fly, good trout are to be taken with a running line, without float, so leaded that it shall just touch the ground, with- out resisting the force of the stream. The lead should be fixed about eight inches from the hook, and may consist of two or more shot, in size according to the strength of the current. The best baits are well scoured lob or dew worms, or a couple of brandlings ; and the edges of streams are the most likely for sport. The line should be so held as to admit the perception of the slightest impediment. When the bite is felt, it is requisite to slacken the line a little, by lower- ing the hand, and then strike gently upright. Fishing up the stream is earnestly recommended, particularly when the water is low. 130 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. This diversion is so inferior to that which fly fishing affords, that few who have the opportunity of making choice will hesitate in their preference of the latter; but when fishermen malie distant excursions from home, for the express purpose of indulging their inclination for the amusement of angling, they ought to be enabled to avail them- selves of every fair method which may yield them sport. THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 131 TROLLING OR MINNOW FISHING. Next to the use* of the artificial fly, this is the most sportsman-like and successful method of killing trout ) and for the char of our northern lakes the minnow is by far the most attractive bait. Those minnows are to be chosen which are of middle size, and brightest under the belly. Where they are to be found in shoals, as is the case in most trout streams, the landing-net, if made of large dimensions, as recommended under the list of necessaries, will, with very little trouble, supply an ample stock of bait. Those minnows which are dusky or yellow coloured, being out of season, are invariably to be rejected ; and those selected for use, if not wanted until the following day, should be kept in a pail of water, which should be changed at night, and early the next morning ; and if the angler docs not choose 132 THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. to take them to the river in a minnow kettle, and thus preserve them alive, he may put as many as convenient in a small box, with some bran. The best way of baiting the minnow is to draw the large hook first through both lips, so that they be not torn, and then insert it at the mouth, and pass it down the body, until the point pro- trudes below the ventral fin ; the two small hooks must then be fastened through the back of the head, so that they may stand upright, with the points towards the head. Some use three small hooks for this purpose ; but, as the fish take this bait greedily, two, in addition to the body, or large hook, are sufficient. Other persons use six small fly hooks, two of which are placed back to back, at the foot of the line ; two at the distance of about an inch above these, and the remaining two an inch higher ; one of which is fixed through the lips of the minnow, one of the succeeding two into the back, and oiie of the last two a little above the tail, making it to curve slightly ; thus offering some resistance when drawn across or imfjROved metmojds Ojf baiting the minnow. jPL ATJE 9 n ri (1 lb Uu uu