,libraries47 ,,the ,,teesdale ,,angler4 ,by ,r4 ,,lakeland4 ,,barnard ,,castle3 ,,printed ,,at ,,the ,,office ,,of ,r4 ,,barker1 ,,horse ,,market4 #aheh4 ,r4 ,,barker1 ,,printer1 ,,barnard ,,castle4 ,,preface4 ,i find it requisite to say something by way of preface to the ,teesdale ,angler1 chiefly1 because ,i wish it to be understood that my work1 though bearing a local title1 is intended as a help and guide to ,trout fishers generally1 especially those of ,yorkshire1 ,durham1 ,westmoreland1 and ,cumberland4 ,to the extent of my ability1 ,i have endeavoured to point out1 and explain the various methods1 means1 and devices1 natural and artificial1 for taking ,trout4 ,the ,artificial ,fly ,list will ,i trust be found amply sufficient for most ,anglers4 ,i have only to add1 that my treatise is the result of a considerable amount of practical ,angling experience1 extending over a period of upwards of #ce years1 and the chief object ,i have in view will be accomplished1 if the hints and instruction contained in it1 tend to aid the diversion1 and promote the amusement of those who wish to be proficient in the art of a pleasing and fascinating recreation4 ,r4 ,,lakeland4 ,,contents4 ,page ,pisces ,fluviales1 ,river ,fish #a ,advice to beginners #i ,various ,useful ,hints #aa ,on ,fly ,fishing #ad ,the ,angling ,months #ag ,natural ,fly ,fishing #bg ,the ,stone ,fly #bg ,the ,flesh ,fly #cj ,the ,cow ,dung ,fly #ca ,list of ,palmer ,flies #cc ,list of ,hackle ,flies #ci ,march ,brown or ,dun ,drake #db ,select ,list of very killing ,flies1 both ,palmers and ,hackles #dc ,list of ,hackles and ,silks to suit #dd ,a ,list of ,flies likely to kill in ,trout streams #de ,how to ,dress the above #dg ,red ,palmer--,black ,palmer--,may ,flies #eb ,how to make a ,hackle ,fly #ed ,to make a ,winged ,fly #ed ,materials required for making ,winged and ,hackle ,flies #ee ,to make a ,palmer ,fly #ef ,golden ,palmer--,silver ,hackle ,palmer #ei ,to ,make ,hackle ,flies #fj ,worm ,fishing #fa ,trolling with ,minnow #fd ,maggots--,gentles--,docken ,grub #fg ,cad ,bait--,worms1 c4 #fh ,salmon ,roe #gj ,dyeing ,feathers for ,fly ,making #ga ,to make strong ,white ,wax #gb ,fishing ,panniers #gb ,landing ,nets--,reels--,gut--,hair #gc ,rods #gd ,lines--,hooks--,fishing ,garments #ge ,health--,caution #gf ,the ,eye the only acute faculty in ,fish #gg ,transport of ,trout and ,greyling #gh ,the ,natural ,enemies of ,fish #gi ,laws relative to ,angling #hj ,the ,effects of ,weather on ,fish #ha ,what constitutes a ,good ,fishing ,day #hb ,on ,early ,rising in connection with ,angling #hc ,over-,preservation1 c4 #he ,angling ,impediments #hg ,barnard ,castle as an ,angling ,station #hi ,weather ,signs and ,changes #ij ,weather ,table #ic ,notices of ,rare and ,curious ,angling ,books #ic ,addenda #ie ,,the ,,teesdale ,,angler4 ,pisces ,fluviales--,,river ,,fish4 ,salmo--,the ,,salmon4 ,trutta--,the ,,trout4 ,thymallus--,the ,,grayling4 ,capito ,seu ,cephalus--,the ,,chub4 ,salmonidae--,,smelts4 ,anguilla--,the ,,eel4 ,various seu ,phocinus--,the ,,minnow4 ,cobitus ,fluviatilis ,barbatula--,the ,,loach4#a #a ,this fish has only been observed in the ,tees during the last few years4 ,i deem a very brief notice of the above varieties of fish sufficient1--they have been described over and over again by much abler pens than mine1 and ,i advise all those who are desirous of minute details1 as to their conformation and habits1 to have recourse to one of the published ,histories of ,british ,fishes1#b indeed all the above fish and their varieties have been faithfully and naturally described in 7,i take it for granted7 every angling book that has yet been published4 ,as to ,salmon1 ,i need allude no further than observe 7as every one knows that they are both ocean and river fish7 that they afford1 when plentiful1 excellent sport to the angler1 taking freely the ,minnow1 ,worm and ,fly1 that they generally select the deepest pools of a river for their chief residence1 but yet may be taken anywhere with the fly where there is three feet of water4 ,they generally rise best about eleven o'clock in the forenoon1 and three in the afternoon of a day4 ,when there is a little wind stirring1 if accompanied by rattling showers of hail or snow in the ,spring1 or heavy showers of rain in ,summer1 so much the more likely for sport4 #b ,very many clever men have written diffusely on ,ichthyology4 ,aristotle was one of the first who divided fishes into different orders1 he divided them into three1 but ,linnaeus separated them into five4 ,salmon fishing in every respect is similar in the modus operandi1 to that of ,trout1--requiring not more1 if so much skill1 but more nerve and patience with1 of course1 much stronger rod and tackle1 and larger flies1 and if you try worms1 two large lob worms well scoured1 should be put on the same hook1--you also require a ,gaff for large fish4 ,the best ,salmon ,flies for the ,tees 7which is by no means a good ,angling river for ,salmon7 are the ,dragon and ,king's ,fisher1 to be bought at most tackle shops1 and a fly deemed a great killer made with a bright scarlet body1 and wings from the black feather of a turkey4 ,,the ,,trout4 ,the ,trout almost every one knows1 that the ,trout is a delicious fish1 beautiful and elegant in form and appearance4 ,trouts vary1 being yellow1 red1 grey and white1 the latter like ,salmon1 go into salt water4 ,trout spawn in the winter months1 after which they become sickly and infested with a species of what may be denominated fresh water lice4 ,in winter he keeps to the deep water2 in spring and summer he delights in rapid streams1 where1 keeping his head up the water1 he waits for his expected prey4 ,there is no other fish that affords such good and universal sport1 or that exercises the skill and ingenuity of the angler so much4 ,the different modes by which to effect his capture are fully described under the different heads of fly trolling and bottom fishing4 ,this fish 7but seldom taken any great weight7 abounds in the ,tees and its tributary streams4 ,,the ,,grayling4 ,the ,grayling is a beautifully formed fish1 and affords the angler good sport--he is a much better-flavoured fish than the ,chub1 though not comparable to ,trout4 ,he delights in rapid streams1 and during the ,summer months is rarely found in deep water4 ,the ,grayling will take the same flies and bait as ,trout--a little black fly is an especial favourite with him1 but he will spring a long way out of water to catch a fly of any description which may be sporting above him4 ,the ,grayling spawns at the end of ,april and beginning of ,may4 ,,chub1 ,,or ,,chevin4 ,the ,chub is a very timorous fish1 utterly worthless as food except during the winter months4 ,he frequents deep water1 and loves shady places1 where he can shelter under the roots of trees1 c4 ,the ,chub spawns in ,may and ,june4 ,he is a leather-mouthed fish1 so that once hooked you are sure of him2 he struggles fiercely for a moment1 then yields without further effort1 and allows himself to be dragged unresistingly to land4 ,he will take the same flies as the ,trout1 also all kinds of gentles1 maggots and worms1 especially small red worms2 is fond of the humble ,bee1 ,salmon ,roe1 and ,creeper2 will take a variety of pastes1 as old white bread moistened with a little linseed oil and made into small balls2 old ,cheshire cheese mixed with a little tumeric1 and bullock or sheep's brains1 also bullock's blood mixed with wheaten flour1 and worked up to a proper consistency1 are all good baits for ,chub in the winter months4 ,a ,cockchafer with his wings cut off is also a very good bait for large ,chub4 ,when rivers are frozen1 you may catch ,chub by breaking a hole in the ice1 the fish will come to the aperture for air1 and1 perceiving the bait1 take it--your line need not extend to the depth of more than a yard4 ,observe that your paste balls are of consistency sufficient to adhere firmly to your hook1 which should not be larger than a small ,may-fly hook1 or two ,no4 #c fly hooks tied firmly together are much better4 ,,salmon ,,smelts4 ,the growth of ,salmon1 as is well known1 is so surprisingly quick1 that ,smelts from ,ova deposited by ,salmon during the ,autumn and ,winter months1 will in some instances1 by the first week in ,may1 be found to weigh after the rate of five or six to the pound4 ,they rise very freely at the fly1 and afford the angler 7who is fond of small fry71 lots of sport1 they are partial to streams1 and also to a gaudy fly4 ,smelts will rise at almost any moderate sized fly1 but the three most killing1 are a small black fly1 with scarlet or crimson silk body1 black fly1 ribbed with gold1 or silver twist1 golden plover's speckled feather from the back1 and gold twist4 ,they are also rather fond of a fly made from a partridge's breast feather1 and body of crimson floss silk4 ,the flies must be fastened upon small hooks not larger than ,no4 #a4 ,few ,smelts are to be seen after the second week in ,may4 ,there is an old saying1 ,that the first flood in ,may1 ,takes all the ,smelts away4 ,salmon ,trout1 or ,herling as they are called in ,scotland1 are a beautiful and elegantly formed fish1 and rise very freely at common ,trout ,flies1 these fish go into salt water4 ,,the ,,pink1 ,,or ,,brandling4 ,the ,pink is plentiful in the ,tees and many of its tributaries1 it is altogether a handsomer fish than the ,trout1 to which however in some respects it bears a strong resemblance4 ,it is seldom taken above a quarter of a pound in weight4 ,is very vigorous and strong for its size1 delights in rapid streams1 takes the same baits and flies as the ,trout1 but when the water is low and the weather hot1 is exceedingly fond of the maggot1 or brandling worm4 ,the ,cad bait1 with a little hackle round the top of the shank of the hook1 kills well4 ,the hackle should be ,landrail1 or a ,mallard's feather dyed yellow1 the latter for choice4 ,,the ,,eel ,may be termed amphibious1 for about the time oats run1 he has been met with at considerable distances from water1 and has even been detected in pea fields1 gorged with the usual accessories to duck1 to which in some respects he is so far analogous--that though a foul feeder he is excellent as an edible4 ,he inhabits mud and sand banks1 and also conceals himself under tree roots1 stones and rocks4 ,you may angle for him with ,salmon ,roe1 a lob-worm or ,minnow after a flood and before the water has subsided1 but he is usually taken by night-lines1 baited with lob-worms or ,minnows4 ,as ,i have before intimated1 he is not nice1 and will not refuse any kind of garbage4 ,if you angle for him your tackle should be strong and leaded1 so as to keep your line at bottom4 ,,the ,,minnow4 ,the ,minnow is in deep water during winter1 and the shallowest of streams in summer2 he is taken with a small red worm1 or with young ,cad bait4 ,the ,minnow bites freely in fine weather1 and you may take almost as many as you please by angling for them4 ,when the water is clear1 they may be taken by means of a large transparent glass bottle1 wide at the top of the neck but gradually narrowing1 in fact a complete decoy2 inside the bottle are red worms1 and the bottle1 to which is attached a string1 thrown round the neck1 is cast into the water2 in a little time a shoal of ,minnows surround the bottle1 enter1 and feast4 ,when the bottle is tolerably full1 a pull at the string brings bottle and ,minnows to land4 ,,the ,,loach ,is found underneath stones at the bottom of rivers and brooks1 and also amongst gravel2 it is a good bait for ,trout and ,eels4 ,the ,loach will bite freely at small red worms4 ,the hook same as for ,minnows4 ,,the ,,bull-,,head ,though an ugly looking fish is good to eat2 you may catch him with any small worms and small hook1 he is found amongst stones and gravel4 ,,advice ,,to ,,beginners4 ,angling is such a popular recreation that professors of the gentle craft are to be found amongst all classes and conditions of the ,genus homo4 ,the disciples of glorious old ,izaack--is not their name ,legion8 ,in early youth1 fascinated with the capture of the tiny ,minnow or glittering ,gudgeon1 the youthful ,tyro is known in after years as the expert ,salmon and ,trout fisher4 ,to become a really expert angler1 requires a good deal of energy1 perseverance1 and activity1 accompanied by a suitable amount of patience and ingenuity4 ,in the fourth chapter of ,waverly are the following observations1 that of all diversions which ingenuity ever devised for the relief of idleness1 fishing is the worst qualified to amuse a man1 who is at once indolent and impatient1 such men's ,rods are quickly discarded4 ,my advice to those who are desirous of enjoying the contemplative man's recreation1 is that they undergo a probationary course1 under the guidance of a competent professor4 ,three or four days of diligent observation employed in watching the manual operations of an instructor1 would go far towards giving them a pretty good idea of how to set about catching a ,trout with either fly or bait2 indeed much more so than any written or oral instruction could convey4 ,in fact if they are attentive spectators1 they may soon acquire a fund of useful practical information1 with which they may commence angling with a fair chance of success4 ,theory may be very good1 but practice is much better1 and will only make the complete angler4 ,good ,rods1 superb ,flies1 and the best of all kinds of tackle are of little use1 if any1 in the hands of a person who has not previously acquired some notion as to the proper application of them4 ,doubtless many a sanguine aspirant to piscatory fame1 has1 after an expensive outlay at a tackle shop1 been grieviously disappointed when trying his luck in a celebrated ,trout stream1--he discovers to his intense disgust and mortification1 that the fish will not come and be killed4 ,probably1 and indeed most likely1 he throws down his rod1 votes fishing a bore1 ,chews the cud of bitter disappointment o'er1 ,has fished his first and last1 and so will fish no more4 ,the manual part of angling is one thing1 the commanding success another1 the latter cannot be effected to any extent without the sacrifice of time1 perseverance and attention4 ,it is however quite probable that a man may be quite happy and satisfied by the capture of a very small number of ,trouts during a day's fishing1 and ,i strongly advise all beginners to follow so excellent an example1 waiting patiently the good time coming4 ,observe1 that fishing in a low water1 where an angler has just preceded you1 is the ne plus ultra of doing worse than nothing2 by wading in a low water the fish are so scared that they take to their holds1 and probably remain there for some hours4 ,,various ,,useful ,,hints4 ,by keeping your tackle-book neat and tidy1 you will always have your silks1 hooks1 lines1 flies1 c4 in their proper places4 ,when the twine that holds your two-piece ,rod together has been thoroughly wet1 then when dry1 and before using it again1 wax well4 ,if any portion of a ,rod of three or more pieces is so fast at the joints that you cannot draw1 then hold over the flame of a candle or by the fire1 and then try1 the result is generally satisfactory4 ,let your gut soften in the water before you commence fishing4 ,examine old stintings of gut and hair to see there are no flaws by wear and tear1 if there are1 repair1 or discard altogether1 carelessness in such matters always brings disappointment in the long run4 ,see that the points of your hooks are sharp1 and that the hooks are all right1 as broken or crooked hooks are of course useless4 ,make it a rule to examine closely any place where you have had your book out dressing flies1 c41 so that you leave nothing behind4 ,if your flies or hooks are fast to any impediment which you cannot reach1 don't pull like a savage1 but go tenderly and cautiously to work2 a release is often effected by a little time and patience2 when the case is utterly hopeless1 and a breakage becomes inevitable1 then try to save as much of your tackle as possible4 ,never loose your temper because you loose your fish1 let hope whisper a flattering tale for the next you hook4 ,when you have hooked a fish1 don't let him run if you can possibly help it1 so as to slacken your line1 if you do1 you stand a chance of loosing him1 as the sudden cessation of a strain upon the line frequently disengages the hold4 ,if you want to discover what fish are feeding upon1 open the first you catch1 and then you will be able to judge correctly4 ,never strike a fish hard with the fly1 either on gut or hair1 if the latter1 a breakage is almost sure to follow a violent jerk4 ,stormy1 showery days in summer and sometimes in spring1 are days on which you will generally take the best fish with the fly4 ,after a flood1 with a rising barometer1 and not too much wind1 expect good sport4 ,if the fish do not like the worm after you have tried a few likely places1 change for the fly1 and if you do not succeed with that1 wait twenty minutes or so1 and probably you may then find them disposed to feed4 ,whenever you find fish shy in taking the worm1 ,i mean when they will neither take it nor let it alone1 pulling at it but not attempting to gorge it1 strike either very quickly1 as soon in fact as you perceive they have touched it1 or what will generally answer much better1 exchange for the fly4 ,sometimes1 however1 fish will take worm very well1 although they may be seen rising freely at the fly4 ,cold dark days are not favourable for worm fishing1 and in low water the worm is entirely useless on such days4 ,put your ,minnows for trolling in tin cases1 with partitions for each ,minnow with a little bran in each1 this method keeps them nice and fresh4 ,observe1 that ,loaches1 if you can get them are tougher than ,minnows1 and quite as good if not better bait4 ,never buoy yourself up with the hope of having any diversion1 either at top or bottom in an easterly wind4 ,also after a frosty night followed by a bright day1 fly fishing need not be attempted with any chance of success4 ,put your worms when you are going to use them in a woollen bag in ,spring1 canvas in ,summer4 ,in ,may-fly season1 if there comes a flood1 go at the rising of the water and secure as many as possible1 you will find them scarce afterwards4 ,if1 when fishing up water you meet an angler coming down1 you had better wait twenty minutes before you try the stream recently fished4 ,guard against your shadow falling upon the water1 at least as much as possible4 ,if you purpose wading1 be careful not to over-heat yourself during your walk to the water side4 ,if1 when the morning has been cloudy1 and the fish have risen tolerably at the fly1 should the sun appear about noon1 coming out strong and likely to continue1 you will find the fish cease to rise1 and it is very probable that they will feed no more until evening4 ,after a white hoar frost1 either in the ,spring1 or further on in the season1 fish rarely feed until the afternoon of that day1 and not always then4 ,when a thick mist rises from the water early on a ,summer morning1 fish will not feed until the vapour rising from the water has passed away4 ,on stormy days try mostly that part of the water where there is the best shelter to be had4 ,,on ,,fly ,,fishing4 ,in ,thompson's ,seasons what an admirable description of ,fly fishing6 ,it is indeed inimitable3 it charms an angler by its vivid and truthful deliniation1 and after reading it1 makes him long to increase his tackle1 and his rod retie4 ,of all the devices for taking ,trout1 fly fishing is decidedly the most pleasant1 ingenious and amusing1 and where fish rise freely1 there is nothing comparable to the artificial fly1 as a means to an end1 in the shape of filling a pannier4 ,the quick eyed ,trout1 is completely deceived by a cunning fabrication1 the inanimated thing of feathers1 silk and fur1 so closely resembles the natural fly1 that he rises and seizes upon it for a real living fly--,but ah6 too late1 the little monster 7for he is one in his way7 feels the treacherous hook1 indignant at the guile1 he springs aloft1 makes for his well known hold1 or resting place1 exhausts his strength in the unequal contest1 and floats almost lifeless into the landing net held out for his reception4 ,he has fallen a legitimate prize to the skill of his captor1 who has only to extract the hook from his gills1 before he again makes another light and deadly cast4 ,thus fish after fish is deposited in his nicely woven pannier1 and on he goes rejoicing1 carefully trying his favourite streams1 until the weight upon his shoulder1 unmistakably intimates1 that it is time to be homeward bound4 ,in fly fishing1 the best plan is to cast your line athwart the stream1 by pulling it against it2 your flies probably show to more advantage1 yet you will not take so many fish1 as by throwing up or across the stream1 the reason is obvious1 the current somewhat retards the progress of the fish in the act of rising1 and thus it happens that they so frequently come short of the hook4 ,there is also another consideration1 your fly coming down or athwart the water is more natural1 and fish observe it sooner coming down1 than a fly pulled up stream1 because fish when on the feed1 invariably lay with their heads up water4 ,with pliant rod athwart the pebbled brook1 ,let me with judgment cast the feather'd hook1 ,silent along the grassy margin stray1 ,and with a fur wrought fly delude the prey4--,,gay4 ,in log1 or still water fishing1 make as fine and light casts as you possibly can4 ,if you see a fish rise1 throw your flies about a foot above him1 and then let them gently float over the place where he rose4 ,in stream fishing1 have a quick eye1 and ready hand1 and strike immediately you perceive the fish to have risen at your fly2 and observe that if you have the luck to hook two ,trouts at the same time1 net the one lowest down your line first1 for should a novice inadvertently attempt to net the one upon the higher fly1 he will very probably loose them both4 ,the heads and tails of streams are favourite resorts of ,trout1 and ought to be carefully and diligently fished2 but as a general rule1 wherever you see a fish rise1 have a try for him4 ,in the ,spring and ,autumn1 your diversion with the artificial fly is much more certain than during the ,summer months1 but even then there are certain days1 7especially if the wind be ,easterly71 that they will not take even the natural fly1 and ,i have on such days seen thousands of flies on the water1 yet scarcely a fish on the move4 ,when the fish rise freely at the natural fly1 and also rise1 but do not take those you offer1 you may safely conclude your fly is not what suits1 so try them with something different4 ,the best plan is to catch the natural1 and make the artificial fly as close a copy as possible1 for the nearer you approach to nature the greater in all cases is your chance of success4 ,and here1 in concluding this chapter on ,fly ,fishing1 let me advise every angler to make or learn to make his own flies2 by so doing he will never be at a loss for a fly to suit the fickle ,trout4 ,really1 many of the flies from the tackle shops look neat and gaudy enough1 but like ,hodge's razors1 are they not made to sell8 ,when a man makes a fly for himself1 he makes1 ,i take it1 to kill4 ,,the ,,angling ,,months4 ,,march4--,during this month the fells and hills of north ,yorkshire and ,durham are frequently capped with snow1 which1 dissolved by the increasing power of the sun1 fills rivers and brooks with what is usually termed snow broth1 which1 accompanied with chilling east or north-east winds1 effectually retard angling operations4 ,trout however keep gradually improving in condition1 and from the middle to the end of the month will1 under the influence of a kindly atmosphere1 rise tolerably well at the fly during the middle of the day4 ,the worm is also taken in brooks after rain4 ,but as a fly fishing month1 ,march seldom affords1 in the north of ,england at least1 any good or certain diversion4 ,in the face however of all obstacles1 some really keen hands will wet their lines1 and if the weather is at all genial1 may succeed in taking a few fish4 ,the advent of our annual visitor1 the swallow1 indicates1 or nearly so1 when fly fishing commences with some certainty of sport2#c you will observe but few flies on the water1 7and consequently no inducement to fish to be on the look out71 before those great insect killers appear4 ,the principal flies for the month1 are the ,march ,brown1 the ,blue ,dun1#d and small ,black1 or ,light coloured flies4 #c ,under favourable circumstances you may begin to troll with the ,minnow about the middle of the month4 #d ,the ,duns are first-class flies all the season1 beginning with the ,blue ,dun in ,march and ,april1--,the ,yellow ,dun1 little ,iron ,blue ,dun on cold windy days1--,july ,dun ,cut1 ,blue ,gnat1 and ,willow ,fly4 ,some anglers fish with four flies upon a stretcher1 ,i much prefer three1 and never1 except for ,lake fishing1 use more--a stretcher for three flies should consist of about a yard and a half of either gut or hair4 ,what are termed water knots are the best for tying your gut or hair together1 the tighter they are drawn the faster they become4 ,every angler is no doubt partial to some particular flies1 and probably he will have no great difficulty in selecting his favourites from the copious lists given in the ,teesdale ,angler2 but for the benefit of those anglers who have not had much experience1 ,i beg to observe that they should never have three flies at once on their stretcher1 that closely resemble each other4 ,in the ,spring the ,blue1 ,brown and ,dun ,drakes are certain killers1 and as for hackle flies1 if they select the ,brown1 ,blue and ,black1 they will do well4 ,during the ,summer months there is such a great variety of feed upon the water that it is difficult1 nay1 almost impossible to give any certain rule1 because the set of flies that kill well one day1 may be rejected the next4 ,i may however venture to affirm1 that one dark and two light flies are the most likely1 either as regards hackle or winged flies4 ,by catching the natural fly1 you will never be at a loss either in ,spring or ,summer1 as to the colour of the silk you require for the body of your fly4 ,in ,summer when the midges are on1 use the ,black1 ,blue and ,dun midges1 and when they disappear1 try the larger flies4 ,,april4--,the month of sunshine and showers is generally1 and especially towards the latter end of it1 most favourable for angling2 in fact if the water is in order1 and the weather temperate for the season1 it is the very best fly month in the year4 ,trout are now sure to rise well and freely at the fly4 ,every day between the hours of eleven and three o'clock the feed is on the water4 ,the fish1 full of life and motion1 are hungry and voracious1 and in full pursuit of the ,dun or ,brown ,drake1 which any gleam of sunshine brings on the surface of the water4 ,the ,blue ,dun 7a better fly than the ,brown for cold stormy days71 and the ,grannam1 or ,green ,tail1 are frequently on at the same time1 and it is a pleasant sight to anglers to see thousands of these flies settling on the water1 and the fish rising at them in all directions4 ,during these feeds ,i venture to predict that any person who has suitable flies1 and who can manage to make a tolerable light cast1 cannot well miss taking some fish4 ,with respect to the ,grannams1 you may on bright mornings begin to fish with them as early as six o'clock1 and again after the large ,browns have disappeared1 ,i mean for that day4 ,if you commence fishing1 say any time between six and eleven a4m41 use the small flies1 viz41 the ,grannam or ,green ,tail1 the small ,blue ,dun1 and ,black ,flies1 dressed on ,no4 #b4 hooks4--,during this month 7,april7 it is frequently so cold that to dress a fly by the water side is almost an impossibility1 or at least a matter of some difficulty1 therefore1 always be provided with a supply1 ready for use when wanted4 ,i also strongly recommend fine round ,gut in preference to ,hair at this season1 on account of the size and weight of the large hooks on which the ,brown ,drake requires to be dressed2 and which ,hair will not retain so safely as ,gut2 and also1 though you may probably rise more fish with ,hair1 yet taking the breakages you are liable to by using it1 and the loss and hinderance you suffer thereby1 especially if broken in the midst of a feed1 which perhaps does not last above a quarter of an hour1 taking these matters into consideration1 ,i have long since arrived at the conclusion that ,gut is much better for ,spring fishing than ,hair4 ,but in the long ,summer day1 when your fingers are not benumbed with the cold1 and you can dress flies or repair and arrange your tackle at your pleasure or convenience1 then1 when the water is low and fine1 there is nothing comparable to strong1 fine round ,hair1 it falls much lighter than ,gut on the water1 and therefore1 for log or still water is much superior4 ,but really good ,hair for angling purposes is exceedingly difficult to meet with1 and if you use inferior1 many losses and disappointments are sure to occur4 ,good ,hair has the advantage over ,gut in these respects1--it is sooner wet1 falls lighter on the water1 and is free from that glistening and shiny quality which detracts so much from ,gut1 and which no staining will entirely obliterate2 it wears out by use in a great measure1 but having come to that point1 cannot be depended upon1 and if you lay it aside for any length of time when in that state1 you will find1 if you attempt to make use of it1 that it is utterly worthless4 ,the shaved ,gut is good1 but expensive4 ,the best ,i ever purchased was at ,rowell's1 at ,carlisle4 ,,may1 charming1 charming ,may1 is generally a delightful ,angling month1 for if the water is in order1 good diversion may be had almost every day4 ,a great variety of flies now make their appearance at which the ,trout rise very greedily1 full of life1 vigour and activity1 they roam everywhere after their prey1 and scarcely a fly settles upon the water but falls a victim to the quick eyed and hungry fish4 ,trolling1 and worm fishing become now very good1 and it is advisable to fish with either one or the other in the early part of the day4 ,when the flies have not made their appearance1 and before fish rise of themselves1 it is of little use trying the fly1 it is only labour lost1 to call spirits from the vasty deep1 who will not come when you do call for them4 ,indeed1 on the best of fishing days1 there are some half hours when a man who understands what he is about1 will lay down his rod1 because he knows the fish have done feeding for a time1 and that flogging the water to no purpose may be exercise1 but not sport4 ,in this leisure half hour then1 let the angler smoke1 eat1 examine his ,tackle1 or lay out and admire his fish1 this last way of killing time1 brings to my recollection the lines of ,wordsworth1-- ,he holds a small blue stone1 ,on whose capacious surface is outspread1 ,large store of gleaming crimson spotted trouts1 ,ranged side by side in regular ascent1 ,one after one still lessening by degrees1 ,up to the ,dwarf that tops the pinnacle1 ,the silent creatures made a splendid sight together thus exposed2 ,dead1 but not sullied or deformed by death1 ,that seemed to pity what he could not spare4 ,,wordsworth4 ,,june1 loveliest of the ,summer months1 introduces to the notice of anglers a large and daily increasing number of the insect tribe2 variety may be charming1 but the most expert and knowing of anglers will now occasionally be somewhat puzzled in making a selection of flies adapted to suit the capricious whims1 or fastidious appetite of the ,trout1 now in their prime1 fat1 strong1 and somewhat satiated by a succession of dainty morsels4 ,now is the time to rise with1 or rather indeed before the lark1 and try your luck with the creeper and stone fly1 you may begin to fish with either as soon as you can see to put them on the hook1 and always bear in mind that the early morn is the best part of the day for these baits1 you also have a good chance again in the evening1 but in the middle of the day they are1 upon the whole1 but indifferently good2 and the small fly will generally be found to answer better1--and frequently the worm proves destructive when the day is hot1 and the water low4 ,it is a good plan to procure your ,may-flies and creepers during the day or evening preceding that on which you intend using them1 searching for them in the morning when you want to fish is not quite pleasant4 ,you may do a great deal of execution with the small flies just now4 ,trout glutted with the ,may-fly and creeper1 take them well on cloudy and windy days4 ,should rain fall at this season1 after the water has been low for some time1 ,trout will take a minnow exceedingly well4 ,,july4--,the scorching suns of ,summer are upon us1 and the vivid rays of the great luminary have a powerful effect upon all creatures1 and upon the finny tribe in particular4 ,the water during this month is often so low and fine1 that artificial fly fishing is labour in vain1 and provided it is not1 fish have become so shy and cautious in the selection of their food1 that it is a difficult matter to offer for their acceptance anything artificial which they will take freely4 ,a well scoured worm1 maggot1 gentle or natural fly1 offered to them in an artistic way1 seldom however fails to attract their notice1--of natural flies the ,flesh ,fly is the best4 ,evening fishing1 towards dusk1 with the brown and white ,moths1 and also with the white ,bustard1 may be pursued with success2 you may fish with the ,bustard 7which you will find performing aerial evolutions over the meadows in a fine evening7 the whole night through1 and though perhaps you cannot see the fish 7which is generally a good one7 rise1 you must always strike quickly1 yet gently1 when you feel him--use a ,may fly hook4 ,if you can find any ,may-flies1 the fish will now take them again very greedily1 during the last fortnight of this month very few fish can be taken under any circumstances with either natural or artificial flies1 the fish are too fat and indolent to take the trouble to rise4 ,a well scoured maggot on a bright hot day tempts them best1 they will take that when flies and all other baits have proved a failure4 ,the ,spring and ,autumn fishing are easy enough1 but the ,summer tests the ,angler1--and ,who then his finest skill and art must ply1 ,and all devices1 natural and artificial try1 ,for now the ,trout becomes an epicure indeed1 ,and only on the daintiest baits and flies will feed4 ,,august4--,the same ,flies as in ,july1 with the addition of the little ,red and ,black ,ant ,flies1 which usually appear about the #ajth or #abth of this month2 observe that from the #abth to the end of the month1 fish take the fly much better than they have done--they are on the move again4 ,,september ,,and ,,october4--,use the same ,flies as in ,spring1 the willow fly in ,september must however be added to the list of ,blues1 ,duns1 and ,browns4 ,about the middle of ,october ,i deem it high time to lay aside the ,trout ,rod1 let the gentle angler for a brief space bid adieu to his favourite piscatorial haunts1 in doing so perhaps he may call to mind the farewell of the ,tyne fisher to his favourite streams1 from a work printed for ,emmerson ,charnly1 at ,newcastle1 in #ahbd4 ,mine own sweet stream6 thy rugged shores are stripped of all their vesture sheen1 ,and dark ,december's fury wars where grace and loveliness have been1 ,stream of my heart6 ,i cannot tread thy shores so bleak and barren now1 ,they seem as if thy joys were dead1 and cloud with care my anxious brow4 ,in reference to the above1 ,i must observe that very few anglers will think of fishing during the winter months2 at the conclusion of the second week in ,october1 the ,trout ,rod ought to be carefully stowed away4 ,the angler should by all means refrain from killing ,trout so close upon the spawning season1 besides they are becoming as food quite worthless4 ,truly ,othello's occupations gone4 ,,natural ,,fly ,,fishing4 ,,the ,,stone ,,fly4 ,the ,stone ,fly is invariably converted into the ,may-fly1 by anglers who fish the ,tees and its tributary streams2 but the actual and properly named ,may-flies are the ,green and ,yellow ,drakes1 which do not appear upon our ,teesdale waters4 ,if the weather has been warm1 and the water low1 ,may-flies 7for by so calling them ,i shall be best understood71 may be found the last week in ,may1 or at all events in the beginning of ,june1 some indeed1 but very few may be seen as early as ,april1 and as late as ,september4 ,this fly is easily found1 his whereabouts indicated by his old coat1 or husk1 which he has discarded1 and left on the outside of his mansion1 which is generally a flat stone near the edge of the water4 ,this fly is generally but an indifferent killer in the middle of the day1 mornings and evenings1 7when not glutted and the weather propitious71 ,trout take it with avidity1 provided there has been no frost during the night1 and the water is free from the steaming sort of mist prevalent about this season4 ,you may begin to fish with the ,may-fly as soon as you can see to put the fly on the hook1 the earlier you commence the better chance of large fish1 especially if the water is clear1 and very low1 or even moderately so4 ,in fishing with this fly1 have your cast line light and strong1 tapering gradually to the end1 to which attach about three-quarters of a yard of fine round ,gut1 the best you can procure1 on which tie your hook which must be at least a size larger than the ,palmer hook2 arm this hook with a strong pig's bristle1 which must lay on the back of the hook1 protruding a short way over the top of the shank4 ,in putting on the fly1 insert the point of the hook under the head of the fly1 passing through the body1 bring it out underneath the tail1 then take and press the fly upwards over the head of the bristle on your hook1 bringing it so far down that it may pass through the back1 behind the head of the fly1 then set to work by throwing your fly into rapid streams1 eddies caused by rocks1 or other impediments2 cast your fly always up and let it come down the stream floating on the surface of the water in a natural and easy way2 if a fish rises and does not swallow it1 do not pull your fly away1 the odds are he will follow and take it1 his motive ,i suppose in the first instance being to disable2 however when ,trout are fairly glutted with the ,may-fly1 they may rise1 but will not even touch it4 ,when a fish has seized your fly1 do not strike too hard or hastily1 numbers of fish are lost by doing so1 let them always turn their heads either in stream or log water before you strike4 ,on dark cold windy days1 during the ,may-fly season you will find the small fly a much better killer than the ,may-fly4 ,on bright and very hot days a well scoured ,brandling ,worm or ,creeper may be used to advantage1 after your morning's fishing with the ,may-fly is done1 for on such days the artificial fly is entirely out of the question4 ,a ,bullock's horn with a few small holes bored in it1 is perhaps the best and handiest thing you can put your flies into4 ,observe that the ,alder or ,orl fly1 is a capital killer when the ,may-fly is on4 ,who shall say that the ,may-fly short as is its life1 has not undergone all the vicissitudes of a long and eventful life1 that it has not felt all the freshness of youth1 all the vigour of maturity1 all the weakness of old age1 and all the pangs of death itself8 ,,to ,,the ,,may-,,fly4 ,thou art a frail and curious thing1 ,engender'd by the sun1 ,a moment only on the wing1 ,and thy career is done4 ,thou sportest in the evening beam1 ,an hour1 an age to thee1 ,in gaity above the stream1 ,which soon thy grave shall be4 ,,borton ,,wilford4 ,,the ,,flesh ,,fly4 ,the ,flesh-fly1 when the water is low and clear1 is one of the most alluring flies that can be offered to the ,trout1 but great skill1 care1 and judgment are requisite in the use of it2 in the hands of an expert angler1 on a close hot day during the month of ,july1 it is a sure and certain adjunct towards filling a pannier4 ,the fish will take it when they will not look at an artificial2 you will take as large fish with it as are to be had with any kind of fly1 either natural or artificial4 ,the flies are easily procured in shady places1 in woods or fields1 where cattle and horses have left recently made soil4 ,after having struck them with a bundle of twigs and killed1 or stunned1 as many as will answer your purpose1 put them into a horn1 or anything suitable1 so that they do not escape4 ,your cast line must be of a length proportioned to the size of the river or brook where you fish1 as a general rule 7if you wade in the water71 about a little longer than the length of your rod1--let your cast line be exceedingly fine1 and have attached to it three-quarters of a yard of the finest round silk-worm gut1--your hook should be ,no4 #b1 put your fly on by inserting the point of the hook under the head of the fly1 and running it through the body1 bringing it out at the tail--you need not make above two or three casts at a place1 and follow the same rule as with the ,may-fly1 viz41 to let the fish turn his head downwards before you strike4 ,streams are the likeliest places where they have not time to scan the fly1 in that curiously suspicious and shy manner in which they generally come to it in smooth water4 ,however when they are in the humour they will take it anywhere if you can only contrive to keep out of sight1 hie labor hoc opus est2 this is the trouble and difficulty in a low water2 and note1 it is not worth while attempting to fish with the ,flesh ,fly on cold windy days1 let the water be in ever such fine condition4 ,trout take this fly best when the temperature ranges somewhere about seventy ,farenheit4 ,this fly is often taken when the ,may-fly is refused4 ,,the ,,cow ,,dung ,,fly4 ,the ,cow ,dung ,fly is a good and enticing fly1 it is easily procurable1 as its name intimates1 on foil left by cattle3 if the water is low and clear1 with a brisk wind stirring1 you may use it advantageously1 because the wind usually carries great quantities of them upon the water1 which induce the fish to rise4 ,these flies are found from ,may to ,october2 fish with them in the same way as the ,flesh ,fly2 a ,no4 #b hook is quite large enough for them4 ,wherever you see a fish rise1 when fishing with this or the ,flesh ,fly1 you may count upon him as your own four times out of six1 if you only contrive to make a light and dexterous cast1 over the place where you observe the fish rise4 ,dapping or ,dibbing1 or perhaps more properly ,dipping1--this is another method of using the natural flies1 and a very killing way too2 your rod for this fishing must be of a good length1 with a stiff top2 your line composed solely of good1 fine1 strong gut1 must be about but not less than a yard in length1--put your flies on the same sized hooks1 and after the same way as you are directed to adopt in the other method where a longer line is used4 ,having stationed yourself out of sight1 behind a bush1 tree or rock1 let your fly drop gently on the surface of the water1 keep lifting and letting it fall so as just to cause the slightest perceptible dimple on the water1 and if there is a fish at all hungry in your locality1 you are pretty sure to have him4 ,if a good fish is hooked1 let your winch line go1 because he will struggle furiously when he feels the hook1 and the hold might give way1 provided you were too hasty and anxious to land him4 ,in dibbing1 almost any kind of fly will answer4 ,the day suitable for this should be warm1 and the water rather low and clear4 ,,list ,,of ,,palmer ,,flies ,,from ,,march ,,to ,,october4 ,the following list of flies will take fish in all ,trouting streams of ,yorkshire1 ,durham1 ,northumberland1 ,cumberland and ,westmoreland4 ,,march4 ,dark ,brown4 ,great ,whirling ,dun4 ,early ,bright ,brown4 ,blue ,dun4 ,little ,black ,gnat4 ,,april4 ,dark ,brown4 ,violet ,fly4 ,little ,whirling ,dun4 ,small ,bright ,brown4 ,,may4 ,dun ,cut4 ,stone ,fly4 ,camlet ,fly4 ,cow ,dung ,fly4 ,,june4 ,stone ,fly4 ,ant ,fly4 ,little ,black ,gnat4 ,brown ,palmer4 ,small ,red ,spinner4 ,,july4 ,orange ,fly4 ,wasp ,fly4 ,black ,palmer4 ,july ,dun4 ,,august4 ,late ,ant ,fly4 ,fern ,fly4 ,white ,palmer4 ,pale ,blue4 ,harry ,long ,legs4 ,,september4 ,peacock ,harl4 ,camel ,brown4 ,late ,badger4 ,september ,dun4 ,,october4 ,same ,flies as in ,march4 ,it is best to make your ,flies in a warm room1 or in warm weather out of doors1--your silk will then wax kindly1 which is of great consequence in making ,flies4 ,the three best winged ,flies for ,spring1 are the ,red ,fly1 ,blue1 ,dun and ,brown4 ,the three principal ,flies for ,,autumn are the little ,whirling ,blue1 ,pale ,blue1 and ,willow ,fly4 ,,february4--,red ,fly4 ,,march4--,red ,fly1 ,dun ,fly and ,brown ,drake4 ,,april4--,the same as ,march with the addition of the ,grannam or ,green ,tail1 and the ,spider ,fly4 ,,may4--,the ,black ,caterpillar1 the ,little ,iron ,blue1 the ,yellow ,sally ,fly1 the ,oak ,fly and the ,orl ,fly4 ,,june4--,sky ,coloured ,blue1 the ,cadiss ,fly1 the ,blue ,gnat1 ,large ,red ,ant ,fly1 ,black ,ant ,fly1 ,little ,whirling ,blue1 ,pale ,blue4 ,,july4--,some of the same ,flies as ,june1 with the addition of the ,wasp ,fly1 ,black ,palmer1 ,july ,dun1 and ,orange ,fly4 ,,august4--,small ,red and ,black ,ant ,flies1 ,willow ,flies4 ,,september4--,pale ,blues1 and ,whirling ,blue4 ,,october4--,same as ,march1 with the addition of the ,dark and ,pale ,blues4 ,march4--#a4 ,the ,dark ,brown--dubbed with the brown hair of a cow1 and the grey feather of a ,mallard for wings4 #b4 ,the ,great ,whirling ,dun--dubbed with squirrels fur1 for wings1 grey feather of mallard4 #c4 ,early ,bright ,brown--dubbed with brown hair from behind the ears of a spaniel dog1 wings from a mallard4 #d4 ,the ,blue ,dun--dubbed with down from a black greyhound's neck1 mixed with violet coloured blue worsted1 wings pale part of a starling's wing4 #e4 ,the ,black ,gnat--dubbed with black mohair1 the wings of the lightest part of a starling4 ,april4--#a4 ,the ,dark ,brown1--brown spaniel's hair mixed with a little violet camlet1 warp with yellow silk1 wings1 grey feather from mallard4 #b4 ,the ,violet ,fly--dubbed with dark violet stuff1 and a little dun bear's hair mixed with it1 wings from a mallard4 #c4 ,the ,little ,whirling ,dun--dubbed with fox cubs fur1 ash coloured1 ribbed about with yellow silk1 wings a pale grey feather from a mallard4 #d4 ,small ,bright ,brown--dubbed with camel's hair1 and marten's yellow fur mixed1 wings pale feather of a starling4 ,may4--,the ,dun ,cut--dubbed with brown hair1 a little blue and yellow mixed with it1 wings1 woodcock1 and two horns at the head from a squirrel's tail4 #b4 ,the ,stone ,fly--dubbed with dun bear's hair1 mixed with a little brown and yellow camlet1 so placed that the fly may be yellower on the belly and towards the tail than any where else1 place two hairs from a black cat's beard1 in such a way that they may stand upright1 rib the body with yellow silk1 and make the wings very large from the dark grey feathers of a mallard4 #c4 ,the ,camlet ,fly--dubbed with dark brown shining camlet1 ribbed over with green silk1 wings1 grey feather of a mallard4 #d4 ,cow ,dung ,fly--dubbed with light brown and yellow camlet mixed1 or dirty lemon coloured mohair with the hackle of a landrail4#e #e ,a good ,fly on cold windy days4 ,june4--#a4 ,the ,ant ,fly--dubbed with brown and red camlet mixed1 wings1 starling's feather1 pale4 #b4 ,little ,black ,gnat--dubbed with black strands from an ostrich1 wings1 light feather from underneath starling's wing4 #c4 ,brown ,palmer--dubbed with light brown seal's hair1 warped with ash coloured silk and a red hackle over the whole4 #d4 ,the ,small ,red ,spinner--dubbed with yellow hair from behind the ear of a spaniel1 ribbed with gold twist1 a red hackle over the whole1 the wings from a starling4#f #f ,this fly kills well when the water is low and fine4 ,july4--#a4 ,orange ,fly--dubbed with brown fur of a badger1 warped with red silk1 wings from dark grey feather of mallard1 with a head made of red silk4 #b4 ,the ,wasp ,fly--dubbed with brown bear or cow's hair1 ribbed with yellow silk1 and the wings of the inside of starling's wing4 #c4 ,the ,black ,palmer--dubbed with black copper coloured peacock's harl1 and a black cock's hackle over that1 wings1 blackbird4 #d4 ,the ,july ,dun--dubbed with the down of a watermouse1 mixed with bluish seal's fur1 or with the fur of a mole1 mixed with a little marten's fur1 warped with ash coloured silk1 wood-pigeon's wing feather for wings4--,a good killer4 ,august4--,the ,late ,ant ,fly--dubbed with the blackish brown hair of a cow1 warp some red silk in for the tag of the tail1 the wings from a woodcock4 #b4 ,the ,fern ,fly--dubbed with the fur from a hare's neck1 which is of a fern colour1 wings dark grey feather of mallard4 #c4 ,the ,white ,palmer--dubbed with white peacock's harl1 and a black hackle over it4 #d4 ,the ,pale ,blue--dubbed with very light blue fur1 mixed with a little yellow marten's fur1 and a blue hackle over the whole1 the wings from a blue pigeon4--,a very killing fly4 #e4 ,the ,harry ,longlegs--dubbed with darkish brown hair1 and a brown hackle over it1 head rather large4 ,september4--,the ,peacock ,harl--dubbed with ruddy peacock's harl1 warped with green silk1 and a red cock's hackle over that4 #b4 ,the ,camel ,brown--dubbed with old brownish hair1 with red silk1 wings dark grey feather from mallard4 #c4 ,the ,late ,badger--dubbed with black fur of a badger or spaniel1 mixed with the soft yellow down of a sandy coloured pig1 wings dark mallard4 #d4 ,the ,september ,dun--dubbed with the down of a mouse1 warped with ash coloured silk1 wings feather of a starling4 ,october4--,same as ,march4 ,as ,i never fished for ,trout in ,november1 ,i attempt no list of ,flies for that month4 ,from ,michaelmas to the middle of ,february1 all anglers should refrain from killing ,trout4 ,moths ,brown and ,white for ,evening ,fishing4--,the ,brown--from the feathers of a brown ,owl1 dubbed with light mohair1 dark grey ,cock's hackle for legs1 and red head4 ,white ,moth--strands from an ,ostrich1 wings from a white ,pigeon1 a white hackle for legs1 and a black head4--,hooks ,no4 #b or #c4 ,good killers at dusk on a ,summer's evening4 ,,list ,,of ,,hackle ,,flies ,,from ,,february ,,to ,,november4 ,february4--,small black flies1 made from ,starling's breast or ,black bird1 with black or purple silk--hook ,no4 #a4 ,inside and out of ,woodcock's wing and yellow silk4 ,plover's breast or ,dottrel's wing feather and yellow silk--hooks ,no4 #a or #b2 red ,cock's hackle and yellow silk4 ,march4--,inside of ,woodcock's wing and yellow silk1 ,no4 #b hook4 ,dark ,woodcock1 and dark orange silk1 ,no4 #b hook4 ,dottrel and yellow silk1 ,no4 #b hook4 ,dark ,snipe and crimson silk1 ,no4 #b hook4 ,dark ,snipe and purple silk1 ,no4 #a hook4 ,april4--,woodcock's as for ,march4 ,inside of ,woodcock's wing and yellow silk1 ,no4 #b hook4 ,freckled ,snipe and yellow silk4 ,no4 #b hook4 ,dark ,snipe and crimson silk1 ,no4 #b hook4 ,dottrel and yellow silk1--inside of ,snipe's wing1 and pale yellow silk1--hooks ,no4 #b4 ,may4--,all the above ,april flies are taken1 also1 ,partridge's breast and yellow or crimson silk1 very light ,dottrel's or plover's breast and fawn coloured silk1 ,blackbird and purple silk1 ,blackbird and dark crimson silk1 sea ,swallow and primrose silk1 inside of ,woodcock's wing and crimson silk--hooks1 #a or #b according to water4#g #g ,when there is much water some of the ,spring and ,autumn ,hackle flies may be dressed on ,no4 #c ,hooks4 ,june4--,most of the above1 to which add ,dottrel and orange silk1 ,plover and light orange silk1 dark ,snipe and orange silk1 ,freckled ,snipe and orange silk1 freckled ,snipe and crimson silk4 ,hooks ,no4 #a or two according to size of water4 ,dottrel's breast and yellow silk1--,hooks ,no4 #a4 ,july4--,many of the above1 with ,sandpiper and yellow or purple silk1 ,plover's breast and crimson silk ,wren's tail and orange silk1 ,dottrel and bright scarlet silk2 ,plover's back feather with gold twist and orange silk1 ,landrail and bright red silk1 dark ,snipe and sky coloured blue silk4--,hooks ,no4 #a or #b at discretion4 ,if the water is very clear1 use hooks as small as possible4 ,august4--,some of the ,july flies for the first fortnight1 with dark ,snipe and green1 ,snipe's breast and purple silk1 ,dottrel and black silk1 ,landrail and red silk1 dark ,snipe or ,starling's breast and red silk1 ,grouse hackle and bright scarlet silk4--,hooks #a and #b according to water4 ,september4--,some of the ,august ,flies1 with ,landrail and yellow silk1 pale blue from sea ,swallow and primrose silk1 pale blue from ditto and crimson silk1--,hooks #a and #b4 ,october4--,inside of ,snipe's wing feather and yellow silk1 ,woodpigeon's feather and pale yellow silk1 dark outside feather of ,snipe's wing and crimson or orange silk1 outside feather of ,dottrel's wing and yellow silk--hooks ,no4 #a or #b4 ,november4--,same ,flies as ,february4 ,the ,blue1 ,black and ,dun ,gnats are at times on the water from ,may to ,august1 and when the fish are taking them they generally refuse the larger flies4 ,the ,blue ,gnat may be made thus3 ,a blue feather from a ,titmouse's tail for wings1 body from pale blue floss silk1 on a cypher hook1 which means the smallest hook made2 or the wings may be had from ,heron's plumes1 with same or primrose silk4 ,black ,gnat--,starling's breast and black silk1 cypher hook2 or black ,ostrich strand and inside wing feather of ,starling for wings4 ,dun ,gnat--from inside wing feather of a ,landrail and fawn coloured silk--cypher hook4 ,observe1 that you may put more feather on your hackle flies in the ,spring than in the ,summer2 when the water is low and clear1 a very small quantity of hackle is sufficient1 and it should by no means descend much1 if any1 below the bend of the hook4 ,in low waters1 except when the blue1 dun and brown drakes are on1 the hackle flies will generally be found to kill better than the winged flies4 ,,remarks ,,on ,,the ,,march ,,brown ,,or ,,dun ,,drake4 ,the ,march ,brown is well known to all anglers as a fly to which they are chiefly indebted for the greatest portion of their sport in the ,spring1 commencing as its name indicates in ,march1 and continuing the whole of ,april and into ,may4 ,they appear on the water each succeeding day about eleven in the forenoon1 and retire about half-past two p4m4 ,few rivers or brooks produce ,march ,browns that are exactly alike2--,i mean with regard to the same shade of colour1 even in the same river there are frequently darker and lighter flies4 ,for the lighter one ,i recommend the hen pheasant's or brown owl's wing feather1 dubbed with hare's ear and yellow silk2 for the dark1 the tail feather of a partridge1 a brown red hackle underneath the wings1 and dark orange silk1 or a woodcock's feather for wings1 and a dark red hackle with dark orange silk1--kills exceedingly well4 ,when the water is low and fine1 ,i consider your chance of killing fish far greater with two1 than three of the large spring flies4 ,if you put the brown1 and blue dun on your stretcher1 three quarters of a yard apart1 you will find your cast will be much lighter with the two than three2 this plan also holds good in reference to hackle flies1 provided that you know what the fish are taking4 ,,select ,,list ,,of ,,very ,,killing ,,flies1 ,,both ,,palmers ,,and ,,hackles4 ,if these flies do not answer1 it is very rare that you will succeed with any other4 ,they are suitable for all the rivers and brooks of ,yorkshire1 ,durham1 ,westmoreland and ,cumberland2 about thirty years experience has convinced me of their entire excellence1 and probably the ingenuity of man cannot devise any to supersede them4 ,palmers for ,march1 ,april1 and first week in ,may1--,the ,march ,brown or ,dun ,drake1--,the ,blue ,dun1--,early ,bright ,brown4 ,may4--,the ,dun ,cut1--,the ,cow ,dung ,fly1 and also the ,march ,brown and ,blue ,dun are on the waters in late seasons to the middle of the month4 ,june4--,little ,black ,gnat1--,the ,brown ,palmer1--,little ,red ,spinner--and ,alder ,fly4 ,july4--,the ,wasp ,fly1--,black ,palmer1--,july ,dun4 ,august4--,the ,late ,ant ,fly1--,the ,pale ,blue4 ,september4--,the ,september ,dun1--,the ,camel ,brown and ,willow ,fly4 ,october4--,blue ,dun1 ,pale ,blue1 and ,dun ,drake4 ,,note4--,if there are no ,flies on the water when you begin to angle1 try a ,palmer till you find what ,flies the fish are taking4 ,one ,palmer and two small hackle ,flies on your stretcher give a tolerable good chance4 ,,list ,,of ,,hackles ,,and ,,silks ,,to ,,suit4 7,,good ,,killers47 ,for ,march and ,april4--,dark ,snipe and crimson silk1--,dark ,snipe and ,purple silk4--,hooks ,no4 #a and #b4--,outside feather of ,woodcock's wing and dark orange silk4--,inside feather of ,woodcock's wing and yellow silk4--,dottrel's back or neck feather and yellow silk4--,hooks ,no4 #b or #c4 ,may4--,inside and outside feathers of ,woodcock's wing1 with orange and yellow silk1--,starling or ,blackbird's breast and black silk1--,freckled ,snipe and yellow silk1--,dark ,snipe and crimson silk4--,hooks ,no4 #a and #b4 ,june4--,blackbird and orange silk1--,plover and orange silk4--,dottrel's breast and yellow silk1--,freckled ,snipe and crimson silk1--,partridge's breast and crimson or yellow silk1--,dark ,snipe and yellow silk1--,freckled ,snipe and orange silk1--,sandpiper and purple or yellow silk4--,hooks ,no4 #a or #b4 ,july4--,light ,dottrel and scarlet silk1--,inside of ,landrail's wing and yellow silk1--,blackbird and dark red silk1--,feather from neck of a ,grouse and scarlet silk1--,plover's breast and bright yellow silk1--,sandpiper and purple silk4--,hooks ,no4 #a or #b4 ,august4--,most of the ,july hackles for the first fortnight1 to which add dark ,snipe and green silk1--,snipe's breast feather and purple silk1--,dottrel and black silk1--,landrail and red silk4--,hooks ,no4 #a and #b4 ,september4--,some of the ,august ,flies with ,landrail and yellow silk1--pale blue from ,sea ,swallow's wing and yellow or primrose coloured silk1--pale blue from ,sea ,swallow and crimson silk4 ,october4--,same as ,march1--with inside of ,snipe's wing and yellow silk1--,woodpigeon's feather and yellow silk1--,dottrel and pale yellow silk4--,hooks ,no4 #a or #b4 ,i deem ,november like ,february1 not worth a list4 ,a ,,list ,,of ,,flies ,,that ,,will1 ,,or ,,at ,,least ,,are ,,likely ,,to ,,kill1 ,,in ,,all ,,trout ,,streams4 ,,flies ,,for ,,march4 #a4 ,dark ,blue1--one of the earliest4 #b4 ,olive ,blue1--,march and ,april1--a good ,fly in cold weather4 #c4 ,red ,clock1--,april and ,march4 #d4 ,little ,brown1--,march and ,april1 the dark first1 then the lighter1--good on warm days4 #e4 ,blue ,midge1--early in ,spring and late in ,autumn4 #f4 ,great ,brown1 or ,march ,brown1--,march1 ,april and first week in ,may4 #g4 ,yellow ,legged ,blue1--from the latter end of ,march to the end of ,april1 on cold days1 particularly in ,april4 ,,flies ,,for ,,april4 #a4 ,dark ,blue1--yellow or ,dun ,midge from middle of ,april to middle of ,may4 #b4 ,spider ,legs1--end of ,april and ,may1--kills best in a wind4 #c4 ,land ,fly1--end of ,april till towards the end of ,may #d4 ,green ,tail or ,grannam1 from six in the morning till eleven again in the evening1 when the ,browns are off4 #e4 ,ash ,fly1--from ,april to the end of ,june1--a good killer on windy days4 ,,flies ,,for ,,may4 #a4 ,grey ,midge1--the latter end of ,april and all ,summer4 #b4 ,yellow ,sally ,fly1--all ,may4 #c4 ,may ,brown1--latter end of ,may till latter end of ,june4 #d4 ,pale ,blue1--from middle of ,may and all through ,june1--good in the evenings4 #e4 ,yellow ,fly1--the greatest parts of ,may and ,june1--kills best on cold windy days4 #f4 ,little ,stone ,blue1--from the middle of ,may till the ,autumn4 #g4 ,may or ,stone ,fly1--if the weather is genial1 the last week in ,may1 and continues through ,june4 ,,flies ,,for ,,june4 #a4 ,hawthorn ,fly1--all ,june4 #b4 ,little ,dark and ,pale ,blue1--the dark during the middle of the day1 the light in the evening4 #c4 ,june ,dun1--about the middle of ,june1--suits showery weather4 #d4 ,twitch ,bell1--continues till the middle of ,july1--best in the evening1--,stone fly4 ,,flies ,,for ,,july4 #a4 ,little ,olive ,blue1--the greater part of ,july and ,august #b4 ,black and ,red ,ant ,flies1--in ,july1 ,august and ,september4 #c4 ,little ,blue1--,july and ,august1--best in the middle of the day4 ,,flies ,,for ,,august4 #a4 ,august ,brown1--comes on about the latter end of ,july1 continuing through ,august and till the middle of ,september4 #b4 ,light ,blue1--,august1 ,september and ,october1--a capital ,fly on cold days4 #c4 ,orange ,stinger1--hot days in ,august4 #d4 ,grey ,grannam1--showery days in ,august and ,september4 ,,flies ,,for ,,september4 #a4 ,light ,olive ,blue4 #b4 ,small ,willow ,fly4 #c4 ,large ,willow ,fly1--,september and ,october4 ,,flies ,,for ,,october4 #a4 ,blue ,bottle and ,house ,fly4 #b4 ,small ,olive ,blue4 #c4 ,dark ,grey ,midge4 ,,how ,,to ,,dress ,,the ,,above4 ,,for ,,march4 #a4 ,dark ,blue1--dark feather inside of ,waterhen's wing2 body1--dark red brown silk1 black hackle for legs--tail two strands of the same4 #b4 ,olive ,blue1--feather of ,starling's wing1 body light olive silk1 and red hackle4 #c4 ,red ,clock1--wings and legs red2 ,peacock's brown herl1 and bright red silk for body4 #d4 ,little ,brown1--feather from inside of ,woodcock's wing1 red copper coloured silk for body1 and brown hackle for legs4 #e4 ,blue ,midge1--feather of ,waterhen's neck1--lead coloured silk for body1 grizzled hackle for legs4 #f4 ,great ,brown1--feather from the hen ,pheasant's wing1--dark orange silk for body1 brown red hackle for legs1--tail do4 #g4 ,yellow ,legged ,blue1--feather from inside of ,teal's wing1 or lightest part of ,starling's wing1--straw coloured silk for body1 legs yellow hackle1--tail do4 ,,for ,,april4 #a4 ,dark ,blue1--same as ,march4 #b4 ,dun ,midge1--lightest part of a ,thrush's quill feather1--pale yellow silk1 ribbed with light orange1--legs yellow hackle4 #c4 ,spider ,legs1--rusty coloured feather from ,feldfare's back1--lead coloured silk for body1 grizzled hackle for legs4 #d4 ,sand ,fly1--ruddy mottled feather of hen ,pheasant's wing1--reddish fur from ,hare's neck1 ribbed with light brown silk1--ginger coloured hackle for legs4 #e4 ,green ,tail or ,grannam1--wings inside of hen ,pheasant's wing1--body lead coloured silk1 with ,peacock's green herl for tail1--legs ginger hackle4 #f4 ,inside of ,woodcock's wing1--body orange coloured silk neatly ribbed1--hackle from a grouse for legs4 ,,for ,,may4 #a4 ,grey ,midge1--feather from ,woodcock's breast1--body of pale yellow silk4 #b4 ,yellow ,sally1--pale yellow feather1--body yellow silk1--legs yellow hackle4 #c4 ,may ,brown1--ruddy grey1--feather from ,partridge's back1--olive coloured silk ribbed with light brown for body1--legs1 hackles of an olive colour1 tail do4 #d4 ,pale ,blue1--,sea ,swallow for wings1--yellow pale silk for body1 ribbed with sky blue1--pale yellow hackles for legs1--tail do41--,little ,stone ,blue1--feather from ,blackbird inside the wing1 or ,swift1--brown silk for body1 brown hackle for legs4 ,stone ,fly1--,mallard's feather from the back1--very large for wings1--two strands of yellow1 and one of drab1--,ostrich herl neatly ribbed1--tie with brown silk4--horns and tail1 black cat's whiskers4 ,,flies ,,for ,,june4 #a4 ,little ,dark ,blue1--inside of ,waterhen's wing1--lead coloured silk for body1 legs yellowish dun hackle1 tail ,rabbit's whisker4 #b4 ,pale ,blue--light part of ,starling's quill feather for wings1 pale yellow silk for body1 pale yellow dun hackle for legs and tail4 #c4 ,june ,dun--a feather from ,dottrel's back1 hackled on a body of blue ,rabbit's fur and drab silk1 dun hackle for legs4 #d4 ,twitchbell--inside of lightest part of ,starling's quill feather for wings1 brown hackle for legs1 brown ,peacock's herl for body4 ,,flies ,,for ,,july4 #a4 ,little ,olive ,blue--,feather of ,starling's wing dyed in onion peelings1 lead coloured silk for body1 ribbed with yellow1 dun hackle for legs1 stained like the wings1 ,rabbit's whiskers for tail4 #b4 ,little ,black ,ant--feather of a ,bluecap's tail for wings1 black ,ostrich herl dressed small in the middle for body1 brown hackle for legs4 #c4 ,red ,ant--,lark's ,quill feather for wings1 cock ,pheasant's herl from tail for body1 red hackle for legs4 #d4 ,little ,blue--,bullfinch's tail feather for wings1 dark blue silk for body1 dark blue hackle for legs1 tail do4 ,,flies ,,for ,,august4 #a4 ,august ,brown--feather from hen ,pheasant's wing1--fern coloured fur from ,hare's neck1 ribbed with pale yellow silk1--grizzled hackle for legs1--tail do4 #b4 ,light ,blue1--inside of ,snipe's wing1--body light ,drab silk1--tail and legs grizzled hackle4 #c4 ,cinnamon ,fly1--feather from ,landrail1--orange and straw coloured silk for body1--ginger hackle for legs4 #d4 ,light ,blue1--inside of ,snipe's wing1--light drab silk for body1--legs and tail grizzled hackle4 #e4 ,dark ,blue1--feather from ,waterhen inside the wing1--reddish brown silk for body1--legs and tail brown hackle4 #f4 ,orange ,stinger1--taken from middle of ,august to the end of ,september--feather from ,starling's quill1--the head brown--the tail orange silk1--for body and legs1 furnace hackle4 #g4 ,grey ,grannam1--dark feather from night ,hawk or brown ,owl1--red ,squirrel's fur and fawn coloured silk for body1--ginger hackle for legs4 ,,flies ,,for ,,september4 #a4 ,light ,olive ,blue1--,dottrel's wing1--body pale white ,french silk1--legs and tail pale blue hackle4 #b4 ,dark ,olive ,blue1--wings inside of ,waterhen's wing1--body lead coloured silk1--black hackle for legs1--tail ,hare's whiskers4 #c4 ,small ,willow ,fly1--wings inside of ,woodcock's wing feather1--body mole's fur and yellow silk1--brown hackle for legs4 ,,october4 #a4 ,house ,fly1--lark's quill feather1--light brown silk1--ribbed with dark ,ostrich herl for body1--legs grizzled hackle4 #b4 ,small ,olive ,blue1--wings ,starling's feather stained with onion peelings1--yellow silk for body1--legs olive stained hackle4 #c4 ,dark ,grey ,midge1--wings dark grey feather of a ,partridge1--body brown silk1--legs grey ,partridge hackle4 ,,red ,,palmer4 ,body greenish herl of ,peacock1--ribbed with gold tinsel1--wrapt with red silk1--red hackle over all4 ,,black ,,palmer4 ,body dark ,peacock's herl1--ribbed with gold tinsel1--green silk1 black1 brown or red hackle over all4 ,,may ,,flies4 ,,the ,,yellow1 ,,grey1 ,,and ,,green ,,drakes4 ,these flies1 which are known as ,may flies1 afford great sport4 ,trout and ,greyling are so partial to them that they refuse all others during the time they are on the water1 but they are not common to all rivers4 ,the ,driffield1 ,derwent and other ,yorkshire streams1 have them in great abundance4 ,the best chance with the artificial ,may fly1 is when there is wind stirring sufficient to cause a pretty considerable curl on the water4 ,the ,yellow ,drake may be made in this way1--a ,mallard's back feather dyed yellow2 for wings1 ,cock's hackle dyed yellow2 underneath the wings to make them stand upright1 yellow camlet1 ribbed with brown silk for body2 tail1 two hairs from ,squirrel's tail4 ,grey ,drake1--wings from ,mallard's back feather1 black ,cock's hackle underneath2 body sky blue camlet ribbed with copper coloured ,peacock's herl2 tail from ,squirrel4 ,green ,drake1--same as yellow except the wings1 which must be from a ,mallard's feather dyed a yellowish green4 ,i have not deemed it requisite to introduce any illustrations of flies1 because ,i cannot conceive that any really beneficial results are obtainable by merely showing the difference on paper between natural and artificial flies4 ,catch the natural fly1 imitate it as closely as possible2 put your made fly into a tumbler of clear water1 then if the size and the prevailing colours as to body and wings resemble your copy1 you are all right4 ,this appears to me the best comparative illustration4 ,i beg to suggest to those who have opportunity and leisure1 that they might at the cost of a little trouble1 make a collection of all the flies that come on the waters1 where they are accustomed to angle4 ,they are easily caught and preserved1 and if classed according to the months during which they were found1 would be useful and interesting to themselves and friends1 if only to refer to when manufacturing flies4 ,,how ,,to ,,make ,a ,,hackle ,,fly4 ,take a hook of the required size1 between the finger and thumb of your left hand1 with the point towards the end of your finger1 place the gut along the top of the shank1 and with the silk bind them tightly together1 beginning half way down the shank1 and wrap the end1 take two turns back again which will form the head of the fly2 lay the feather along the hook1 the point towards your left hand1 and take three turns over it with the silk1 clip off the points of the feather1 and bind it neatly round till the fibre is consumed1 bring the silk round the root of the feather to bind to the end of the tail of the fly4 ,cut off all superfluities and fasten off by the drawn knots1 then with a needle trim the fibres and your fly is made4 ,,to ,,make ,a ,,winged ,,fly4 ,have your materials ready1 wings silk c41 of the colour you require1 then take a hook between the forefinger and thumb of your left hand1 with the point towards your forefinger1 place the gut at the top of the shank1 and with the silk bind them tightly together1 bind all tight within two or three turns of the shank of the hook4 ,take the feather for wings1 lay the feather's point the proper length between your finger and thumb along the hook1 and take two or three turns over it for the head of the fly1 and bind the gut between the second and third fingers of your left hand1 and with the scissors clip off the root end of the feather1 wrap the silk back again once under the wings1 setting them upwards2 with the point of the needle divide equally the wings crossing the silk between them4 ,lay the hackle for legs1 root end towards the bend of the hook1 wrap your silk over it and so make the body of your fly1 then take the fibre end of the hackle1 rib the body of the fly neatly with it1 till you reach the silk hanging down1 wind the silk twice or thrice over the hackle1 fasten with the usual knots1 and your fly is complete4 ,,materials ,,required ,,for ,,making ,,winged ,,and ,,hackle ,,flies4 ,in the manufacture of winged flies a great variety of feathers are required4 ,procure those of a ,mallard1 ,teal1 ,partridge1 especially the tail feathers2 also1 the wings of a ,starling1 ,jay1 ,landrail1 ,waterhen1 ,blackbird1 ,fieldfare1 ,pheasant ,hen1 ,pewitt's ,topping1 ,peacock's ,herl1 green and copper coloured1 black ,ostrich herl1 ,snipe1 ,dottrel1 ,woodcock and golden ,plover's wings1 the tail feathers of the blue and brown ,titmouse1 and also ,heron's plumes4 ,dubbing is to be had from old ,turkey ,carpet1 ,hare ears1 ,water ,rat's fur1 ,squirrel1 ,mohair1 old hair cast from young cattle1 of a red1 blue1 brown1 black and fawn colour from behind a ,spaniel's ears1 and from the fur of a ,mouse1 and note1 ,martin's fur is the best yellow that can be had4 ,in regard to ,silks be careful to suit the colour of the silk 7at least as much so as you possibly can17 to the hackle you select for dubbing with4 ,thus with a ,dun hackle1 use yellow silk2 a black hackle1 sky blue2 a brown or red hackle1 red or dark orange do4 ,the above selection of silks and dubbing are for ,palmers and winged flies generally4 ,it is a good plan however to take and wet your dubbing previous to making use of it1 because when dry it may appear the exact colour you need1 yet wetted quite the reverse4 ,to acquire an accurate knowledge of any dubbing1 hold it between the sun and your eyes4 ,mohairs may be had of all colours1 black1 blue1 yellow and tawny1 from feuille morte a dead leaf1 and ,isabella which is a whitish yellow soiled buff4 ,,to ,,make ,a ,,palmer ,,fly4 ,take a length of fine round silk worm gut1 half a yard of silk well waxed1 7wax if possible of the same colour17 take a ,no4 three or four hook1 hold it by the bend between the forefinger and thumb of the left hand1 with the shank towards your right hand1 and with the point and beard of your hook not under your fingers1 but nearly parallel with the tips of them1 then take the silk and hold it about the middle of it with your hook1 one part laying along the inside of it to your left hand1 the other to your right2 then take that part of the silk which lies towards your right hand between the forefinger and thumb of that hand1 and holding that part towards your left tight along the inside of the hook1 whip that to the right three or four times round the shank of the hook towards the right hand1 after which take the gut and lay either of its ends along the inside of the shank of the hook1 till it comes near the bend of it1 then hold the hook1 silk and gut tight between the forefinger and thumb of your left hand1 and afterwards put that portion of silk into your right1 giving three or four more whips over both gut and hook1 until it approaches the end of the shank1 then make a loop and fasten it tight1 then whip it neatly again over both silk1 gut1 and hook1 until it comes near to the end of the hook1 make another loop and fasten it again2 now wax the longest end of the silk again1 then hold your ,ostrich strand1 dubbing on whatever you have selected1 and hook as at first with the silk just waxed anew1 whip them three or four times round at the bend of the hook1 making them tight by a loop as before1 then the strands to your right hand and twisting them and the silk together with the forefinger and thumb of the right hand1 wind them round the shank tight1 till you come to the place where you fastened1 then loop and fasten again1 then take your scissors and cut the body of the ,palmer into an oval shape1 that is1 small at the head and the end of the shank1 but full in the centre2 don't cut too much of the dubbing off4 ,now both ends of the silk are separated1 one at the bend1 the other at the end of the shank1 wax them afresh1 then take the hackle1 hold the small end of it between the forefinger and thumb of your left hand1 and stroke the fibres of it with those of your right1 the contrary way to what they are formed2 hold your hook as at the beginning1 and place the point of the hackle on its bend with that side growing next to the ,cock's neck upwards1 then whip it tight to the hook1 but in fastening1 avoid if possible1 tying the fibres2 the hackle now being fast1 take it by the large end and keeping that side which lies to the neck of the ,cock to the left hand1 begin with your right hand to wind it up the shank upon the dubbing1 stopping every second turn1 and holding what you have wound tight with the fingers of your left hand1 whilst with a needle you pick out the fibres unavoidably left in2 proceed in this manner till you come to where you first fastened1 and where an end of the silk remains2 then clip off the fibres of the hackle which you hold between your finger and thumb close to the stem1 and hold the stem close to the hook1 afterwards take the silk in your right hand and whip the stem fast to the hook1 and make it tight3 clip off the remaining silk at both bend and shank of the hook1 and also all fibres that start or don't stand well1 and then your fly is complete4 ,,golden ,,palmer4 ,take the hair of a black ,spaniel for dubbing1 ribbed with gold twist1 and a red hackle over all4 ,,silver ,,hackle ,,palmer4 ,the same dubbing as for the ,golden ,palmer1 silver twist over that1 and a brown red hackle1 and note1 when you make ,golden or ,silver ,palmers1 and when whipping the end of the hackle to the head of the hook1 do the same to the twist whether ,gold or ,silver1 first winding on the dubbing1 observing that they lie flat on it1 then fasten off and proceed with the hackle1 or you may wind the hackle on the dubbing first1 and rib the body with either of the twists afterwards4 ,palmers may be made so as to suit all waters by making them of various colours and sizes1 and it is a good plan to fish with a ,palmer until you know to a certainty what fly is on the water4 ,hackles for ,palmers should consist of red1 dun1 yellow1 orange and black1 they should not by any means exceed half an inch in length4 ,a strong brown red hackle is exceedingly valuable4 ,any person who can make a ,palmer will make winged flies without difficulty4 ,,to ,,make ,,hackle ,,flies4 ,select a feather the colour you want1 and whose fibres are of the length suitable for the size of the fly you wish to dress4 ,strip off all superfluous fibres1 leaving on the stem of the feather no more than you require for your fly1 then having previously waxed about half a yard of fine silk of whatever colour you deem best1 take your gut or hair and hook into your left hand1 lay the gut inside the shank of the hook nearly down to the bend1 then whip the gut and hook1 at the end of your hook together1 then lay your feather the reverse way from the top of the feather on to the gut and hook1 make fast the feather with your silk1 then wind your silk on the hook as far as you intend the fibres to extend1 holding the hook1 gut and silk in your left1 with your right wind the fibres down to the silk and make all fast1 then wind the remaining part of the gut and hook as far as nearly the bend of the hook with your silk1 and fasten2 wind your silk back again to the feather1 make all fast1 cut off the remains of the silk1 smooth down the fibres1 press them between your finger and thumb1 and having arranged them to your mind1 the fly is completed4 ,instead of carrying the silk back again to the feather from the bend of the hook1 you may finish there1 if you prefer doing so4 ,i prefer the former4 ,making hackle flies is such an easy matter1 that any person with any ingenuity and attention1 may soon become a proficient in fabrication of them1 and by diligent observation as to the size1 colour1 and peculiarities of the great variety of natural flies1 which make their appearance on the water at particular seasons and hours of the day1 he will at all times be enabled to pursue his diversion with the best chance of success4 ,nature best followed best secures the sport4 ,,worm ,,or ,,bottom ,,fishing4 ,you may take ,trout in ,february with the worm if the weather is mild1 and continue to do so until the end of ,october4 ,it is a most alluring and destructive bait1 and requires more skill to fish it properly than is generally supposed4 ,after rain1 when rivers or brooks are somewhat beyond their usual bounds1 a well scoured lob worm will take the best of fish4 ,for worm fishing you must have a yard of good gut attached to your cast line1 which line ought to be of the same thickness from the gut to the loop of your reel line1 your hooks may be a trifle larger in the ,spring than in the ,summer1 and should be tied on to the gut with good strong red silk2 two ,no4 #d or #e shot corns1 partially split1 and then fastened upon the gut about five or six inches from the hooks1 and from two to three from each other1 are generally sufficient in a strong water to sink your worm to the requisite depth1 but in low and fine waters1 use two of ,no4 #f1 and sometimes one will be sufficient4 ,in worm fishing never attempt to fish down1 but always up a stream1 and when you are aware that you have a bite1 slacken your line a little in order to give time to the fish to gorge1 then strike quickly1 but not too hard1 and land your prize without delay2 you need not make more than two or three casts in one place1 because if there is a fish he will in those casts either take or refuse your bait4 ,in summer when the water is low and fine1 and the thermometer about seventy-five ,farenheit1 capital sport may be had with well scoured ,brandlings1 perhaps this sort of fishing is nulli secundus1 inferior to none in the exercise of skill and ingenuity4 ,the immortal ,shakespeare1 must surely have fished the worm in clear waters1 for he says1 the finest angling 'tis of all to see the fish with his golden fins1 cleave the golden flood1 and greedily devour the treacherous hook4 ,in the ,spring you must give your fish more time before you strike them than in the ,summer2 because having been sickly and altogether out of order1 and not yet having recovered his usual strength and activity1 he bites but languidly1 and does not gorge so quickly as when in prime condition4 ,when you find ,trout pulling or snatching at the worm1 which may be termed runaway bites1 and when in fact they neither take it nor let it alone1 it is a sign they are full1 and the best plan to effect a capture under such circumstance is to strike that moment they touch your bait1 for if you do not succeed by a snap1 but allow them time1 they will only play with it for a few moments1 and then finally leave you in the lurch4 ,in concluding my observations on worm fishing1 ,i can with confidence affirm that it is1 as a bait for ,trout1 the most destructive and certain agent the angler 7taking the season through7 can make use of4 ,the author of ,don ,juan certainly did not flatter a worm fisher1 one part of his assertion however is undoubtedly true1 the worm was at one end1 but it did not necessarily follow1 that a fool was at the other4 ,his poetic and satirical lordship probably never saw ,trout taken with the worm in a clear stream1 if he had ,i think he would have been satisfied that there was nothing foolish about it4 ,osbaldiston in his ,british ,field ,sports1 under the head of ,allurements for ,fish1 recommends the gum of ivy1 he says1 take gum ivy and put a good deal of it into a box made of oak1 and rub the inside of it with this gum2 when you angle1 put three or four worms into it1 but they must not remain long1 for if they do1 it will kill them1 then take them and fish with them1 putting more into the worm-bag as you want them4 ,gum ivy flows from the ivy tree when injured by driving nails into it1 wriggling them about and letting them remain for some time2 about ,michaelmas is the best time to procure it4 ,gum ivy is of a red colour1 of a strong scent1 and sharp pungent taste4 ,when fish are disposed to feed1 you need not use gum ivy2 the attractions of a bright and clear scoured worm are quite sufficient without any such adjunct4 ,,trolling ,,with ,,the ,,minnow4 ,you must for this kind of ,angling1 have a tolerably strong ,rod and tackle1 you may begin trolling about the middle of ,march1 and continue to the end of ,october4 ,the very best of fish are taken with the ,minnow1 it is an active bait to fish with1 and keeps the ,angler pretty well on the qui vive4 ,when the water is in order1 that is1 after it is a little swollen and discoloured by recent rain1 it frequently proves a most destructive bait1 and will take ,salmon as well as ,trout4 ,those ,anglers who are desirous of a few good fish1 will find it their interest to use it on every suitable occasion1 independent of the good fish to be had with it1 it is next to fly fishing1 the most animating and exciting method of angling4 ,to make your ,minnow spin well1 one or two swivels should be used1 attached to the gut1 which should be about a yard in length and of fine and good quality4 ,in fishing the ,natural ,minnow with two hooks1 one of them must be large enough to pass through the body of the bait1 going in at the mouth1 and passing out at the tail2 the other1 rather larger than a ,may-fly hook1 should go through the under1 and pass out at the upper lip4 ,in trolling with only two hooks1 be careful to give your fish time to gorge1 otherwise by striking too quickly1 you will miss your prize by pulling the bait out of his mouth4 ,with three or more hooks1 which is termed fishing at snap1 you cannot strike too soon as the fish is generally caught by one of the loose hooks4 ,if the fish you have hooked be not too heavy1 the best plan is to land him at once by a quick and sudden jerk4 ,in fishing the ,minnow1 if in still1 deep water1 let it sink a little at first1 then draw it quickly towards you1 making the bait spin well and briskly1 which is effected by the swivel4 ,in streams1 especially if they be rapid1 cast up and down1 but chiefly athwart1 by so doing your bait shows greatly to advantage4 ,trolling in the ,tees is not much practised2 the difficulty of procuring ,minnows at the precise time when wanted1 is ,i suppose the reason4 ,but there are artificial ,minnows which in heavy waters will kill well2 those sold by ,frederick ,allies1 ,south ,parade1 ,worcester1 and by ,farlow1 ,tackle ,maker1 in the ,strand1 ,london1 are excellent1 the price for ,trout reasonable1 two shillings and six pence4 ,the former is styled the ,archimedean1 the latter the ,phantom ,minnow1 which collapses when struck by a fish4 ,the best river ,i have ever trolled in1 and ,i do not suppose there is a better in ,england1 is the ,eden1 which takes its rise a few miles from ,kirby ,stephen1 in ,westmoreland1 thence to ,carlisle1 and so seaward1 running for the most part over a gravelly and sandy bottom1 and full of good ,trout1 so that splendid sport may be had by trolling when the water is in proper order4 ,the ,greta is an excellent trolling stream1 but the fish are not near the average weight of those in the ,eden4 ,it is not a bad plan when the water is low and fine1 and ,minnows are easily procured1 because you may then see where they are1 especially on a sunny day1 to catch as many as you want1 7which you may do1 with small hooks baited with very small red worms17 and then cure them4 ,of course those cured are not so good and durable as the fresh1 but still they are found to take fish very well4 ,and thus provided with artificial and pickled auxiliaries1 the indefatigable troller will never be brought to a stand4 ,for what can be more provokingly annoying to an angler1 than to have to leave off in the very midst of sport1 merely for want of baits8 ,,maggots ,may easily be had2 any description of flesh exposed to the sun is soon full of them1 for choice ,i should prefer horse flesh2 when sufficiently large they are an excellent bait for ,trout2 preserve them in tin case 7with holes to admit air17 filled with bran1 where they will scour a trifle and keep alive some days2 when you fish with them1 use a ,palmer sized hook1 and a single ,no4 #e shot corn1 and when the water is as low or almost as much so as it well can be1 your gut need not be leaded at all4 ,,wasps ,,and ,,humble ,,bee ,,gentles4 ,these ,gentles are excellent for both ,trout and ,chub1 preserve them the same way as ,maggots1 and use the same sized hook4 ,,docken ,,grub4 ,this grub is found1 as it name indicates1 at the roots of dockens3 the body of it is somewhat similar to a ,maggot1 it is a good bait for ,trout and ,chub1 and may be kept some time in a woollen bag containing fine sand2 fish will often take it when they refuse the worm1 you may begin to fish with it in ,february and continue to do so during the season4 ,small ,may-fly hook and one ,no4 #e shot corn4 ,,creeper1 ,found underneath stones having a little water and gravel or sand underneath them1 may be kept in a ,may-fly horn1 but soon die for want of water2 a good bait early and late1 or in streams on a hot day4 ,a ,no4 #f shot corn and ,may-fly hook1 fished like the worm4 ,,cadiss1 ,,or ,,cad ,,bait1 ,found in brooks or rivers1 encased in little straw or gravel husks3 a curious little grub similar to a gentle in size1 with a dirty yellow body and black head4 ,palmer sized hook1 shot corn ,no4 #f1 or your hook slightly leaded on the upper part of the shank1 round which have the hackle of a ,landrail or dyed ,mallard4 ,kills well with hackle when the water is slightly discoloured4 ,,worms4 ,you must not every ,worm promiscuous use4--,,gay4 ,the best for ,spring fishing are the ,marl or ,meadow worms1 the ,gilt ,tail1 the ,squirrel ,tail and the ,brandling1 are excellent in ,summer4 ,a ,lob ,worm well scoured is a good bait early in the morning1 either in ,spring or ,summer4 ,when you fish with the ,brandling1 it is a killing way to have two on your hook1 letting the head of the second ,brandling hang a little way over the tail of the first1 or you may put heads and tails together2 always procure your worms1 and put them to some good moss1 some time before you want them2 after three or four days1 by adopting this method1 they will be clean1 bright and tough2 a glazed earthen jar is the best thing to keep them in1 and in ,summer set your jar in as cool a place as possible2 by attention in changing your moss every fourth day1 or so1 you may preserve and keep your worms a long time4 ,moss from heaths and waste lands1 is the best you can get2 always be careful to pick from the moss all blades of grass1 leaves1 or dirt adhering thereto4 ,put your worms into water if you want them scoured quickly1 and let them remain in it for twenty minutes or half an hour1 they come out in an exhausted state1 but soon recover on being put into good clean moss4 ,bole ,armoniac will also scour them very speedily4 ,as to gum ivy and ointment put to worms to entice fish1 such practises ,i hold to be mere matters of fancy1 and ,i do not deem it necessary to give instructions in reference thereto4 ,it is my opinion only time and trouble thrown away1 and you may depend upon this as a fact1 that if fish will not take a bright clean worm1 the addition of unguents will be found useless4 ,as ,i have observed elsewhere1 it is the eye and not the sense of smell 7if they have any7 which guides1 influences1 and directs fish in their choice of food4 ,you may breed worms in abundance by the aid of decayed vegetables and leaves1 mixed with marl or any kind of soil2 the ,brandling or ,red ,worm are found in ,pig's and other dung1 also in ,tanner's bark4 ,,salmon ,,roe4 ,salmon ,roe is such a destructive bait for nearly all kinds of fish1 and ,trout in particular1 that ,i know nothing comparable to it4 ,it is moreover a bait requiring but little skill in the use of it4 ,after a flood1 and before the water clears1 is the best time for fishing with ,roe4 ,log1 or still water having a gravelly1 or sandy bottom1 is the place to be selected1 and you may use three or four stiff rods1 placed at convenient distances from each other4 ,you can also have floats if you like1 by doing so you will immediately perceive when you have a bite4 ,it is a good plan previous to casting in your lines1 to sound the depth of the water1 which you may do easily enough with a string leaded for the purpose2 because1 it is of material consequence that your ,roe should lie at1 or very near the bottom of the water4 ,a hook about the size of a ,limerick ,may fly hook1 is quite large enough to put your roe on1 which should be in regard to size about that of a ,french ,bean or marrow fat ,pea4 ,salmon ,roe is cured and preserved by spreading it upon thin layers of cotton wool1 pack the layers on each other and cover them tightly up1 so as to exclude air2 glazed jars covered with bladder over the tops of them are the best to keep your ,roe in4 ,when you want to use it1 mix the ,roe with a little wheaten flour and gum water1 to cause adhesion to the hook4 ,in concluding this notice of ,roe1 ,i cannot refrain from expressing a hope that gentlemen will abstain from the use of it4 ,by the purchase of ,roe they hold out a premium to ,salmon poachers who annually destroy immense numbers of spawning fish solely for the sake of the ,roe1 the high price which it commands encourages them in their illegal pursuits4 ,if there were no buyers of ,roe there would soon be a visible increase of ,salmon4 ,,dying ,,feathers ,,for ,,fly ,,making4 ,for dying feathers use clear soft water2 to strike the colour add to each pint of water a piece of alum about the size of a walnut2 to dye white feathers yellow1 boil them in onion peelings or saffron4 ,blue feathers by being boiled as above become a fine olive colour4 ,to dye white feathers blue1 boil them in ,indigo1 by mixing the blue and yellow together1 and boiling feathers in the mixed liquid1 they become green4 ,logwood dyes lilac1 or pink2 to turn red hackles brown1 boil them in copperas4 ,to stain hair or gut for a dun colour1 boil walnut leaves and a small quantity of soot in a quart of water for half an hour1 steep the gut till it turns the colour you require4 ,to stain gut or hair blue1 warm some ink1 in which steep for a few minutes1 then wash in clean water immediately2 by steeping hair or gut in the union dye1 it will turn a yellowish green1 and in gin and ink it becomes a curious water colour4 ,,to ,,make ,,strong ,,white ,,wax4 ,to make strong white wax1 take three parts of white rosin and one of mutton suet2 let them simmer ten minutes or so over a slow fire1 dropping in a small quantity of essence of lemon1 pour the whole into a basin of clear cold water1 work the wax through the fingers1 rolling it up1 and then drawing out until it is tough4 ,it cannot be worked too much4 ,by using this wax the pristine colours of the silk you use in fly making are preserved2 common shoemakers wax soils the silk too much4 ,,fishing ,,panniers ,,or ,,baskets4 ,the ,french ,baskets are the neatest1 lightest and most durable1 being closely woven1 they very much exclude the air1 so that fish look better on being taken out of a pannier of that description2 many of the ,english made fishing baskets1 are only of clumsy construction1 and have the fault of being too open in the weaving1 admitting far too much air1 whereby1 particularly on windy days1 your fish become dry and shrivelled4 ,,landing ,,nets4 ,landing nets round or square1 are made of strong silk or best water twine cord4 ,those nets having a joint in the centre of the shank1 are most convenient when travelling4 ,it is not advisable to have too deep a net1 as your flies become very often entangled in such a one1 and cause much trouble and loss of time in extricating them2 therefore a net that is sufficiently deep to hold a good fish without admitting a possibility of escape1 is the kind of net you require4 ,,winches ,,or ,,reels4 ,winches may be bought at all tackle shops1 and of any size you wish4 ,my remarks on them extend only to this1 that they are very useful appendages to any rod1 and give you great advantage over a good fish1 enabling you to give line and play him as you like2 should a breakage of your top or other part of your rod happen1 you have it safe1 being held by your reel line4 ,a light winch that will hold from #be to #ce yards of line is sufficient for ,trout4 ,a ,salmon winch should be capable of holding from #ej to #hj yards of line4 ,,gut ,,and ,,hair4 ,in selecting gut for ,trout fishing1 choose that which is round and fine4 ,what is termed manufactured gut1 may be had at most tackle shops1 it is exceedingly fine but not durable1 the best ,i ever met with was at ,rowel's1 at ,carlisle1 #a;d4 per length4 ,hair should be bright1 round and strong1 chestnut hair suits moss or discoloured waters1 if you can procure hair of a light or bluish tint1 that is the best of colours2 both gut and hair should be wet when knotted4 ,,rods4 ,the three distinguishing characteristics of a really good fly rod are strength1 elasticity1 and lightness1 such rods are to be bought in the ,london tackle shops for a pound2 these rods are perfect as three or four piece rods1 but ,i much prefer one for my own use in only two pieces1 such a rod is more readily put to1 and taken from together than one consisting of three or more joints2 not so liable to get out of order1 and has a truer bend with it when subjected to pressure4 ,i recommend a rod having a root #i feet1 and a top of #e feet1 making together #ad feet in length1 as the most useful2 a fir root1 and top of good sound lance wood1 well painted1 ringed and varnished1 makes a neat and serviceable rod4 ,for trolling1 your top should be stiff and strong4 ,for worm not so pliable as your fly top4 ,,lines4 ,lines composed entirely of hair1 are lighter on the water than those made of silk and hair mixed1 perhaps the latter is the stronger line of the two1 but it both carries more water and is more expensive4 ,a winch line should be for ,trout from #be to #ce yards in length1 and may be bought at all tackle shops1 at the rate of a #a;d41 #a-a_/b;d4 and #b;d4 per yard1 according to quality2 at so cheap a rate1 it is scarcely worth while to make your own line1 which you may do by the purchase of a little machine for twisting1 or you may use goose quills1 which is however but a slow and tedious process4 ,,hooks4 ,the best hooks are ,kendal1 ,limerick1 and ,carlisle2 ,i prefer the ,limerick for fishing the natural flies1 they are all however very good4 ,some anglers are partial to the ,kirby bend1 but perhaps you get better hold of your fish with the sneck bend hooks4 ,if you purchase wholesale1 you get #abj hooks for a shilling1 if by retail at tackle shops1 generally #f a penny1 or #gb for a shilling2 so that wholesale you have about #ej more hooks for your money4 ,,remarks ,,on ,,fishing ,,garments4 ,with ,cordings1 ,fishing ,boots1 and ,macintosh ,coat1 you are weather proof2 neither the water from above or below can affect you2 by the aid of the boots you keep your feet perfectly dry1 the coat enables you to continue fishing during the heaviest showers1 and in ,summer especially1 when the flies and insects are beat down by such showers1 the best of fish are then on the move2 without the ,india ,rubber ,garment1 you may get thoroughly wet in ten minutes4 ,if you find shelter you probably loose some good sport1 and if not1 by continuing your fishing1 you become so cold1 wet1 and exceedingly uncomfortable1 that you generally deem it adviseable to proceed home with as little delay as possible4 ,when the day is fine1 and the water repeller not needed1 avoid light1 or glaring colours2 brown1 green1 or grey garments are most suitable1 particularly when the water is low and clear4 ,,health1--,,caution4 ,if your feet are wet either in ,spring or ,summer1 do not1 if you regard your health1 sit down above two or three minutes4 ,you may frequently have occasion to wait some considerable time by the water side1 looking out for the expected feed1 and consequent rising of the fish2 at such times keep walking about in preference to sitting1 which is the best way to avoid catching cold4 ,when you return home loose not a moment in changing your wet garments4 ,colds and ,rheumatism are the pains and penalties anglers are liable to1 who do not follow the above advice4 ,,the ,,eye1 ,,the ,,only ,,acute ,,faculty ,,in ,,fish4 ,trout1 however quick sighted they may be1 are like all the finny tribe1 supposed to be incapable of hearing1 in consequence of the density of the element in which they exist4 ,water has long ago been proved to be a non-conductor of sound1 and if fish are possessed of any faculty of the kind1 it must be the dullest imaginable4 ,from the horny construction of the palate1 their taste cannot be acute1 and their sense of smelling 7judging from the medium by which all odours are conveyed to them17 must be peculiarly defective4 ,taking the above suppositions to be correct1 it is of course clearly apparent that they must be guided solely by the eye in the selection of their food2 for instance1 when fish are stupefied or fuddled as it is termed1 ,i do not suppose their olfactory organs are affected by the berry or drugs1 used to intoxicate or kill them4 ,i am persuaded1 that small balls of paste or bread would1 if offered to them at the same time1 be devoured at precisely the same rate as those prepared with unguents or drugs4 ,the formation of fish is peculiarly adapted to water1 through which they glide with the greatest facility2 their motions being regulated by the fins and tail2 the tail indeed being to the fish precisely what a rudder is to a ship4 ,the air bladder in fish is another wise provision of nature1 by means of it they can remain for a long time under water2 still they must from time to time take in supplies1 for if during a severe frost the ice be not broken on ponds1 the fish therein would perish for want of air4 ,some fish are much more tenacious of life than others2 ,roach1 ,perch and ,tench1 have been conveyed alive1 for stocking ponds1 thirty miles1 packed only in wet leaves or grass4 ,one thing is quite certain as regards all fish1 viz41 that they live longer out of their natural element in cold than in hot weather4 ,a clever invention for the transport of fish has come under my notice2 an account of this machine may prove interesting to some persons1 and therefore ,i insert it4 ,,the ,,transport ,,of ,,trout ,,and ,,greyling4 ,the ,apparatus consists of a tin case1 separated into two parts by an open work partition4 ,in one of these the fish are placed1 and in the other is fixed a mechanical contrivance for keeping up a considerable supply of air in the water4 ,in ,november1 #ahec1 #cc ,greylings were sent from the ,wye at ,rowley to the ,clyde at ,abington1 a distance of about #bej miles with the loss of only two fish4 ,the ,apparatus is composed of a zinc cylinder1 about three feet high and two feet in diameter1 with a strong iron handle running round the middle2 to the top1 a small force pump is attached1 and by this fresh air is forced through a star shaped distributor at the bottom of the cylinder2 a ring to bring the fish up for inspection1 and a loose concave rim to prevent splashing over1 complete it4 ,a drawing with particulars was deposited with the ,society of ,arts1 in ,london4 ,,the ,,natural ,,enemies ,,of ,,fish4 ,fish have so many enemies that were it not for the millions of embryo or spawn deposited by the female1 the breed of ,salmon and ,trout 7to say nothing of other species7 would long since have become extinct4 ,eels1 fish1 birds1 water rats1 toads1 frogs1 and last but not least1 the water beetle1#h prey upon the ova1 spawn and young fry2 floods also sweep away and leave on banks1 or rocks1 a considerable quantity of spawn1 which of course comes to nothing4 ,escaping the above perils and causalities1 and arrived at maturity1 they become the prey and food of the otter and heron1 king's fisher1 gull1 c41 who emulate man in their destructive propensities4 ,the larger fish also prey upon the smaller4 ,luckily otters are not so numerous in any ,english river as they used to be4 ,night lines1 shackle1 rake and flood nets1 and other devices not at all creditable to those who use them1 and to which ,i shall not further allude1 make terrible havoc amongst fish1 and mar and spoil the fair and honest angler's sport1 but in most rivers and brooks of ,trouting celebrity1 such practices are greatly on the wane4 ,proprietors will not sanction such wholesale destruction2 and now almost universally adopts measures for the detection and punishment of such depredators4 #h ,the water beetle is chiefly instrumental in conveying the spawn of various kinds of fish to waters1 where such species had previously been unknown4 ,,laws ,,relative ,,to ,,angling4 ,it would occupy too much space to be diffuse in reference to angling laws2 ,i shall therefore briefly observe that all persons discovered robbing fish ponds during the night1 and all persons found poisoning fish are liable to transportation2 all persons using nets1 listers1 snares or other unlawful devices1 are liable to the forfeiture of such nets1 c41 and also subject to a fine at the discretion of the magistrates before whom such offenders may be brought2 and also1 that any person angling in any brook or river without the permission of the proprietor or proprietors of such river or brook1 is liable to a penalty as a trespasser1 and also to the forfeiture of any fish he may have caught4 ,,observations ,,in ,,reference ,,to ,,the ,,effect ,,of ,,the ,,weather ,,on ,,fish4 ,your sport in angling1 whether top or bottom1 materially depends upon the state of the atmosphere4 ,he who has paid some attention to the effects of weather on fish1 knows pretty accurately the extent of the sport to be looked for1 when the wind is in particular arts4 ,an ,east or ,n4 ,east wind shuts out all hope of diversion1 whilst a ,southerly or ,south ,west wind1 is the wind of all winds for the angler4 ,however1 as fish must feed at some time1 let the wind be as it will1 an angler who is particularly in want of a few ,trout1 may succeed in obtaining small ones with the fly in an ,east or ,n4 ,east wind1 provided the wind has been in that quarter some days1 and there is feed on the water4 ,any sudden change in the wind affects the fish1 and they will sometimes give over1 or begin to feed1 on such changes taking place1 just as it happens to veer into the wrong or right quarter4 ,after white frosts in the ,spring of the year1 you need not expect much1 if any sport4 ,frosty nights with bright sunny days following1 accompanied with ,east or ,n4 ,east winds1 are precisely those sort of days1 when a man had better refrain altogether from attempting to take fish with the fly1 or with any kind of bait4 ,during the ,summer months1 the colder the wind blows1 the better sport you will have with the artificial fly4 ,on cold stormy days in ,spring1 with wind ,west or ,n4 ,west1 accompanied with heavy snow1 rain1 or hail showers1 good fish are usually roving about1 and then your sport is of the best4 ,either in ,spring1 or ,summer1 ,with a ,southerly wind1 and a cloudy sky1 ,the angler may venture his luck to try4 ,,what ,,constitutes ,a ,,good ,,fishing ,,day4 ,it is of the greatest consequence to acquire a correct estimate of what really constitutes a good fishing day2 and not put too much faith in the advice of the author who wrote an article on angling1 which is published in ,brewster's ,encyclopaedia1 who tells us to follow the example of the navigator1 who does not wait for a favourable wind1 but goes to sea at once1 to seek for one2 not to sit at home on the look out1 but go to the river in all weathers4 ,the three great essentials of a good ,trouting day1 are water1 wind1 and cloud1 if there is a failure in all three1 you are better at home1 at least that is my humble opinion4 ,if a deficiency or partially so in any1 expect only moderate sport1 but if all three are in unison1 then you may fairly calculate on excellent diversion4 ,there is nothing like a ,south ,west wind for holding forth a promise of a cloudy day4 ,as to the water1 the second day after a heavy fall of rain is often the best4 ,the wind however sometimes 7too frequently indeed7 veers into the ,north ,west1 or further on that day1 and if the barometer rapidly rises at the same time1 there will be too much sunshine2 on the third1 if the wind veers to the ,south ,west1 the day will probably be too dark2 for a dull day occurring about new and full moon1 is seldom a good angling day4 ,a man whose avocations do not permit him to angle in all weathers1 will therefore do well to select a day1 when the three great essentials of his sport1 wind1 water1 and cloud1 are in his favour4 ,,note4--,an angler is so dependent on the weather that he should omit no opportunity of acquiring meteorological knowledge4 ,electric influences guide and coerce fish in a wonderful manner4 ,,on ,,early ,,rising ,,in ,,connection ,,with ,,angling ,,pursuits4 ,thousands of the dwellers in the modern ,babylon1 and indeed in all large cities and towns1 never saw the splendour of a rising sun4 ,tens of thousands never heard the sylvan choristers performing their morning's concert1 filling with their melody1 nature's own1 the woods and groves wherein these feathered songsters sport1 live1 and have their being4 ,whilst millions of men are sunk in the arms of the drowsy god4 ,what is the angler about1 has he slept soundly1 and then awoke in the very nick of time8 ,or have his slumbers been somewhat broken and disturbed by dreams of crafty old ,trout8 ,no matter1 he is astir1 he has pocketed his tackle1 and not neglected something for the inner man2 rod and net in hand1 he is off and away frequently before1 but seldom later1 than the rising lark proclaims with joyous notes the coming day2 full well1 he knows the advantages of an early move during the ,summer months2 the morning is all in all1 the best part of the day to him2 so1 buoyant with hope he progresses at an easy rate towards the scene of his triumphs1 or disappointments1 as the case may be4 ,an angler of early habits during the ,summer months sees a great deal of animated nature1 and ought to know as much of the habits of birds1 animals1 insects1 c41 as any man4 ,at early morn the great volume of nature lies open for his inspection1 if he be intelligent and curious1 he will soon become a naturalist1 whether his path leads through the woods1 the lowlands1 or over the uplands1 he is pretty sure to meet with something to gratify1 instruct and amuse4 ,independent of the varied attractions of nature1 the early rising angler always has the best ,summer sport4 ,large fish invariably feed more freely in the morning than during any other portion of the day1 evenings occasionally excepted2 he also avoids the greater heat by getting home a4m41 indeed after twelve o'clock on a ,summer's day your shadow falls more or less upon the water1 and scares the fish4 ,independent of that1 they usually cease to feed by that time4 ,,over ,,preservation1 ,,and ,,other ,,causes ,,that ,,tend ,,to ,,make ,,trout ,,small ,,and ,,scarce4 ,in streams where piscatorial rights are cherished1 and protected to their fullest extent1 ,trout are frequently found to be much smaller1 than might naturally be supposed2 the fact is1 that in good breeding waters strictly preserved1 ,trout soon become so numerous that the supply of food is inadequate to their wants2 a state of things which in rural parlance is termed1 as having more stock than the pasture will carry2 a numerical reduction1 to some extent in such streams is therefore extremely beneficial4 ,better fish are sometimes met with in free waters than in preserves1 solely because they have had abundance1 and variety of food4 ,in all moor becks1 plenty of small ,trout are found2 such waters are excellent for breeding1 but as very little nutriment comes from peat or waste lands1 they are generally dwarfish in size1 and moderate in flavour4 ,on the contrary1 in small streams running through a fertile soil1 fish are frequently killed of a most satisfactory size and weight4 ,in rapid rivers the beds of which are formed of limestone rock1 ,trout are upon an average1 not of a size acceptable to an angler who scouts the idea of a #a_/d lb fish4 ,in such rivers they get knocked about very much during heavy floods1 and the rapidity with which the streams carry away the feed1 either at top or bottom1 is against them4 ,in ,north ,yorkshire and ,durham1 where many ,trouting streams are recipients of the washing of the refuse ore of the lead mines1 commonly called hush1 fish are not either so plentiful1 or near the average size they used to be1 when the hush was not so prevalent as it is at present4 ,the hush must certainly be injurious to all kinds of fish1 and ,i think it very probable that the young fry suffer very much from it1 even to the extent of being in some instances completely destroyed by it4 ,but there are other causes1 independent of hush1 c41 why fish are generally smaller in size and number than they used to be in the days of old4 ,an increasing population has visibly increased the number of anglers1 and also of parties making use of most destructive wholesale methods of taking fish1 to which any amount of angling is indeed comparatively harmless4 ,angling clubs conducted with energy and liberality have in some places repressed nefarious practices1 and some rivers are coming round again1 that previous to the protective system were nearly cleaned out4 ,the artificial production of ,trout and ,salmon1 has of late years been tried with success4 ,those who are curious and interested in pisciculture may obtain a pamphlet on the artificial production of fish by ,piscarius1 published by ,reeve ,co41 ,henrietta ,street1 ,covent ,garden1 ,london4 ,,angling ,,impediments4 ,the weather may be propitious1 the humour of the fish charming1 two capital items1 that can only now and then be inserted in an angler's diary2 but some things may occur to spoil a day's diversion1 commenced even under the most favourable auspices2 for instance1 let us suppose that a man 7who whilst realizing the charms of solitude7 is nevertheless carefully and cautiously fishing with success in a clear low water2 how great then must be his vexation1 and disappointment1 when he sees looming in the distance a rod1 and net1 the owner of which is soon distinctly visible4 ,it does not require a moment's consideration as to what he must now do2 he must either give up fishing for that day1 or seek some fresh ground1 because any person coming fishing down a low water1 or even walking close to the banks of it1 scares the fish to such an extent1 that making for their holds1 they will probably remain there for some hours4 ,my object in reference to the above suppositious statement 7which many anglers will find too often a reality7 is to demonstrate to the inexperienced1 what very meagre sport any one must have in a clear1 low water1 previously fished on the same day4 ,reversing the case1 that is to say1 a day or two after a flood1 and when of course there is plenty of water1 and also1 when fish are not so soon alarmed and disturbed2 ,i hold even then1 first come first served1 to be the order of the day2 for when fish are inclined to feed1 any person in advance of you has a decided advantage1 and particularly so1 should he be either trolling1 or worm fishing4 ,in wide rivers however1 you may 7owing perhaps to a feed coming on7 have excellent diversion where a person who has preceded you half an hour1 or so1 has had but indifferent success4 ,if there is only plenty of water1 companionship is admissable1 though ,i am inclined to suppose that 7under all circumstances7 a solitaire has a decided advantage2 for this reason1 that two or more persons1 get over the ground far too quickly1 and do not fish in that true1 steady1 and careful way1 they perhaps would do if alone2 just whipping the stream here and there1 hurrying over the ground1 and so spending probably half their time in walking1 instead of fishing2 but in free waters1 where anglers are sometimes as thick as blackberries1 and a man cannot do as he likes1 the go ahead system often proves the best4 ,some way or other there is generally some sport to be had in streams1 free from hush1 but many rivers are daily subject to it1 causing great interruption1 to say nothing of total stoppage to angling pursuits for many successive days4 ,slight hushes1 when the water is low1 are so far serviceable1 that by partially discolouring the water1 fish take the artificial fly1 especially the ,black ,midge1 more boldly than they would do if the water remained clear4 ,taken altogether1 the hush undoubtedly levies a considerable tax on the patience of those anglers who fish in its vicinity4 ,,barnard ,,castle ,,as ,,an ,,angling ,,station4 ,i beg to offer a few observations to strangers in reference to ,barnard ,castle as an angling station4 ,the facilities offered by a railway1 the beautiful local scenery1 the fishing1 and the excellent accommodations to be had at reasonable charges1 are all attractive considerations for ,tourists and ,anglers1 who will find ,barnard ,castle a central1 pleasant1 and convenient place of abode1 during any length of time they may please to devote to angling or other recreations4 ,barnard ,castle is particularly well adapted for an angling station2 the river ,tees is in close proximity to the town1 the river ,greta distant only about three miles1 and there are several other good streams within easy distances4 ,gentlemen who obtain leave from ,w4 ,s4 ,morritt1 ,esq41 to fish in that portion of the ,greta which is strictly preserved1 abounding in ,trout1 and encompassed by those woods and banks alluded to in ,scott's ,rokeby1 will find the ,inn kept by ,mr4 ,ward1 ,greta ,bridge1 very comfortable and convenient4 ,a good day's sport may be had above ,bowes2 when there happens to be too much water for angling purposes1 some few miles lower down4 ,,weather ,,signs ,,and ,,changes4 ,mists4--,a white ,mist in the evening over a meadow with a river1 will be drawn up by the sun next morning1 and the day will be bright2 five or six ,fogs successively drawn up portend rain2 when there are lofty hills1 and the mist which hangs over the lower lands draws towards the hills in the morning1 and rolls up to the top1 then it will be fair1 but if the mist hangs upon the hills1 and drags along the woods1 there will be rain4 ,clouds4--,against much rain the clouds grow bigger and increase very fast1 especially before thunder4 ,when the clouds are formed like fleeces1 but dense in the middle and bright towards the edges1 with a bright sky1 they are signs of frost1 with hail1 snow or rain4 ,if clouds breed high in the air1 with white trains like locks of wool1 they portend wind1 probably rain4 ,when a generally cloudiness covers the sky1 and small black fragments of clouds fly underneath1 they are sure signs of rain1 and probably it may last some time4 ,two currents of air always portend rain1 and in ,summer1 thunder4 ,dew4--,if the dew lies plentifully upon the grass after a fair day1 it is a sign of another2 if not1 and there is no wind1 rain must follow4 ,a red evening shews fine weather1 but if it spread too far upwards from the horizon in the evening1 and especially in the morning1 it fortells wind or rain1 or both4 ,when the sky in rainy weather is tinged with sea green1 the rain will increase2 if with blue1 it will be showery4 ,heavenly ,bodies4--,a haziness in the air which fades the sun light and makes the orb appear whiteish or ill defined1 or at night if the moon and stars grow dim and a ring encircles the former1 rain will follow4 ,if the ,sun's rays appear like ,moses' horn1 white at setting or shorn of his rays1 or goes down into a bank of clouds in the horizon1 bad weather may be expected4 ,if the moon looks pale and dim1 rain may be expected2 if red1 wind2 and if her natural colour1 with a fair clear sky1 fine weather2 if the moon is rainy throughout1 it will clear at the change1 and perhaps the rain return a few days after4 ,if fair throughout1 and rain at the change1 the fair weather will probably return at the fourth or fifth day4 ,wind4--,if the wind veers much about1 rain is certain2 in changing1 if it follows the course of the sun1 it brings fair weather2 the contrary1 foul2 whistling of the wind is a sure sign of rain4 ,meteors4--,the ,aurora ,borealis after warm days is generally succeeded by cooler air2 shooting stars are supposed to indicate rain4 ,animals4--,before rain1 swallows fly low2 dogs grow sleepy and eat grass2 waterfowl dive much2 fish will not bite2 flies are more than ordinary troublesome2 toads crawl about2 moles1 ants1 bees and insects are very busy2 birds fly low for insects2 swine1 sheep and cattle are uneasy2 and it is not without its effect on the human frame4 ,weather ,table4--,the following table1 ascribed to ,dr4 ,herschel1 and revised by ,dr4 ,adam ,clark1 constructed upon philosophical consideration of the sun and moon1 in their several positions respecting the earth1 and confirmed by experience of many years actual observation1 furnishes the observer without further trouble1 with the knowledge of what kind of weather may be expected to succeed1 and that so near the truth1 that in a very few instances will it be found to fail4 ,observation by ,dr4 ,kirwan4--,when there has been no particular storm about the time of the ,spring ,equinox 7,march #bast72 if a storm arises from the east on or before that day1 or if a storm from any point of the compass arise near a week after the ,equinox1 then in either of these cases the succeeding ,summer is generally dry four times in five1 but if the storm arises from the ,s4,w4 or ,w4,s4,w4 on or just before the ,spring ,equinox1 then the ,summer following is generally wet five times in six4 ,,weather ,,table4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ,,new ,,full ,,moon4 ,,in ,,summer4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,if it be ,new or ,full ,moon1 or the ,moon entering into the first or last quarter at #ab at noon or between #ab and #b ,very ,rainy #b and #d in the ,afternoon ,changeable #d and #f ,evening ,fair #f and #h ,fair if wind at ,n ,west1 ,rainy if ,s1 or ,s4 ,west #h and #aj ,ditto #aj and #ab ,night ,fair #ab and #b ,morning ,ditto #b and #d ,morning ,cold with frequent showers #d and #f ,morning ,rain #f and #h ,morning ,wind and ,rain #h and #aj ,morning ,changeable #aj and #ab ,morning ,frequent ,showers ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------ ,,new ,,full ,,moon4 ,,in ,,winter4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,if it be ,new or ,full ,moon1 or the ,moon entering into the first or last quarter at #ab at noon or between #ab and #b ,snow and rain #b and #d in the ,afternoon ,fair and ,mild #d and #f ,evening ,fair #f and #h ,fair and ,frosty1 if wind at ,north or ,n4 ,east1 ,rain or ,snow1 if ,south or ,s4 ,west #h and #aj ,ditto #aj and #ab ,night ,fair and ,frosty #ab and #b ,morning ,hard frost unless wind ,south or ,s4 ,west #b and #d ,morning ,snow and ,storm #d and #f ,morning ,ditto #f and #h ,morning ,stormy ,weather #h and #aj ,morning ,cold ,rain1 if wind be ,west1 ,snow if ,east #aj and #ab ,morning ,cold with high wind ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,,notices ,,of ,,rare ,,and ,,curious ,,angling ,,books4 ,there exists a very rare and remarkable work1 ,a ,book of ,angling or ,fishing1 wherein is shewed by conference with ,scriptures1 the agreement between the ,fisherman1 ,fishes1 and ,fishing of both natures1 spirituall and temporall1 by ,samuel ,gardner1 ,doctor of ,divinitie4--,i will make you fishers of men4--,matt4 ,,iv4 #ai4 ,london1 printed for ,thomas ,pinfoot1 #afjf4 ,walton tells the honest angler that the writing of his book was the recreation of a recreation2 his motto on the title page of his book was1 ,simon ,peter said let us go a fishing1 and they said we also will go with thee--,john ,,xxi4 #c4 ,this passage is not in all the editions of the ,complete ,angler1 but was engraven on the title page of the first edition1 printed in #afec4 ,advertisement of ,walton's angler1 #afec4 ,there is published a book of eighteenpence price1 called ,the ,compleat ,angler1 or ,contemplative ,man's ,recreation1 being a ,discourse of ,fish and ,fishing1 not unworthy the perusal4 ,these works may now be considered as great bibliomaniacal curiosities4 ,,addenda4 ,it is altogether a mistake to suppose that large flies are required for large rivers2 on the contrary1 with the exception of the ,palmers1 small hackle flies will be found to answer best1 these1 together with the ,black1 ,blue and ,dun ,midges1 7,spring and ,autumn excepted71 have a decided advantage in general over dubbed or hackle winged flies4 ,in small brooks after a flood1 winged flies often kill well1 those with ,orange1 ,black1 ,crimson1 and ,yellow bodies are the best4 ,grass ,hoppers1 the ,cabbage ,caterpillar1 the ,breccan or ,fern ,clock1 will all take ,trout2 but as there are other natural baits to be had at the time these are in season1 which ,i have noted1 and which are more to be depended upon1 ,i have not given any special instructions as to the use of the above4 ,the ,grass ,hopper and ,caterpillar are tiresome baits to fish with1 and more a matter of fancy than utility2 the ,breccan ,clock found amongst fern1 fished like the ,may-fly is the best of the lot1 and at times kills pretty well4 ,having made no allusion in my work to ,lake or ,pond ,fishing1 ,i may now observe1 that four flies upon a stretcher1 one yard apart from each other1 are sufficient for ,ponds4 ,on ,lakes1 fishing from a boat1 you may have six or eight1 or even more flies upon a stretcher4 ,in ,lake and ,pond fishing1 the ,palmers and large winged flies are the best1 particularly when there is a good curl upon the water2 but when there is no wind stirring1 the small hackle or very small winged flies will1 as regards ,ponds1 be frequently found to kill much better than larger flies1 particularly in mornings and evenings during ,summer4 ,as fly fishing and trolling are the only reliable angling means and devices for taking ,trout in ,lakes and ,ponds1 ,i have nothing further to add1 than that a good rod and sound tackle are essential requisites4 ,,finis4 ,r4 ,,barker1 ,,printer1 ,,barnard ,,castle4 ,,list ,,of ,,subscribers ,,to ,,the ,,teesdale ,,angler4 ,w4 ,s4 ,morritt1 ,esq41 ,rokeby ,park1 7#b copies47 ,hon4 ,col4 ,stanley1 ,lartington ,hall4 ,t4 ,hutchinson1 ,esq41 ,eggleston ,hall1 7#b copies47 ,captain ,davison1 ,startforth ,hall4 ,s4 ,swire1 ,esq41 ,romaldkirk4 ,t4 ,s4 ,edger1 ,esq41 ,gainford4 ,john ,helmer1 ,esq41 ,romaldkirk1 7#b copies47 ,george ,sowerby1 ,esq41 ,wycliffe ,hall4 ,i4 ,c4 ,cust1 ,esq41 ,barnard ,castle4 ,thos4 ,helmer1 ,esq41 ,romaldkirk4 ,r4 ,dent1 ,esq41 ,streatlam4 ,w4 ,f4 ,wharton1 ,esq41 ,barningham4 ,geo4 ,hutchinson1 ,esq41 ,gainford4 ---- ,kipling1 ,esq41 ,romaldkirk4 ,w4 ,raine1 ,esq41 ,romaldkirk4 ,h4 ,w4 ,milburn1 ,esq41 ,barnard ,castle4 ,john ,jefferson1 ,esq41 ,barnard ,castle4 ,mr4 ,lionel ,dent1 ,bowes4 ,ward1 ,greta ,bridge4 ,john ,atkinson1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,james ,phillips1 ,rokeby4 ,g4 ,cruddas1 ,streatlam4 ,elliot1 ,jun41 ,greystone ,hall4 ,tennick1 ,gainford4 ,thos4 ,hodgson1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,crosby1 ,darlington4 ,wetherilt1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,james ,tinkler1 ,lartington4 ,j4 ,graham1 ,darlington4 ,john ,white1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,john ,atkinson1 ,printer1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,wm4 ,heslop1 ,marwood4 ,j4 ,dawson1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,brotherton1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,wm4 ,peel1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,sergeant ,thos4 ,taylor1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,sergeant ,major ,morris1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,sergeant ,mayo1 ,barnard ,castle4 ,sergeant ,heslop1 ,barnard ,castle4