,,to ,,fishermen4 ,r4 ,b4 ,,lodge ,,invites ,,attention ,,to ,,his ,permanent 99 ,portraits ,,of ,,anglers ,,at ,,the ,,river ,,side ,,while ,,actually ,,fishing4 ,these aim at being not only ,portraits1 but also ,pictures1 which show you engaged in your favourite sport by the side of some pool1 or knee deep in some shallow of your own particular river1 the sight of which in after years will bring back to your memory many pleasant reminiscences of bygone success4 ,angling ,outings and ,matches attended by appointment4 ,terms on application to ,r4 ,b4 ,,lodge1 #a1 ,chase ,green ,villa1 ,,enfield4 ,fishing on the ,itchen4 ,,to ,,let1 ,,by ,,the ,,day1 ,,week1 ,,month1 ,,or ,,season4 ,apply to ,w4 ,,chalkley1 ,practical ,fisherman1 ,and ,fishing ,tackle ,maker1 ,the ,square1 ,,winchester4 ,,the ,bayonet-,pointed ,gaff 7,,dr4 ,,brunton',s ,,pattern74 7,,registered47 ,illustration ,these ,hooks are made of really good steel1 carefully hardened and tempered1 and each one separately tested with an opening strain of #eflb4 ,see notices in ,land and ,water1 ,february #e2 ,fishing ,gazette1 ,february1 #ab2 and ,field1 ,february #ai1 #ahhg4 ,no4 #a4 ,length #f;in41 gape of hook #b;in43 price #ds4 ,no4 #b4 #g;in41 #b-a_/b;in43 price #es4 ,no4 #c4 #h;in41 #c;in43 price #fs4 ,also made with long concave shank for binding on handle at #f;d4 each extra4 ,to be obtained through all ,fishing ,tackle dealers and ,cutlers1 or of the ,makers1 ,r4 ,h4 ,,browne ,,co41 ,brunswick ,street1 ,well ,street1 ,hackney1 ,london1 ,e4 ,new ,illustrated ,catalogue 7#bjjj ,engravings and ,coloured ,plate of ,flies71 ,post ,free1 #b;d4 ,shooting4 ,fishing4 ,illustration ,,trade ,,mark4 ,,godfrey ,c4 ,,cooper1 ,gun1 ,rifle1 ,revolver1 and ,fishing ,tackle ,manufacturer4 ,,sportsman',s ,,complete ,,outfitter ,,for ,,all ,,parts ,,of ,,the ,,world4 ,every ,requisite for the ,angler4 ,,split ,,cane ,,rods 7my own make71 a ,speciality1 7,guaranteed for two years47 ,,rods1 ,,lines1 ,,reels1 ,,waders1 ,,brogues1 c41 c4 ,,anglers ,,can ,,have ,,the ,,use ,,of ,,my ,,private ,,punt ,,on ,,the ,,thames1 ,,on ,,giving ,,short ,,notice4 ,,finest ,,stock ,,of ,,flies ,,in ,,london4 ,,my ,,new ,,creel1 ,,with ,,landing-,,net ,,attachment1 ,,the ,,most ,,handy ,,made4 ,all ,articles of the most ,modern and ,improved ,patterns4 ,,all ,,orders ,,faithfully ,,executed ,,by ,,skilled ,,labour4 ,,godfrey ,c4 ,,cooper1 ,practical ,gun1 ,rifle1 ,revolver1 and ,fishing ,tackle ,manufacturer1 #aca1 ,,high ,,holborn1 ,,london1 ,w4,c4 ,,red ,,palmer4 ,,opinions ,,of ,,the ,,press ,,on ,,the ,,first ,,edition4 ,,land ,,and ,,water4 ,this unpretentious1 yet well written1 work contains a large amount of information1 which may be read with advantage by all followers of the more refined branch of the gentle art4 ,,fishing ,,gazette4 ,like ,piscator's humble friend1 the chub1 it is 'a good dish of meat1' and excellent for entering a young angler4 ,mr4 ,tayler's views as to tackle are generally sound and practical4 ,on the subject of flies he gives excellent advice4 ,we can safely recommend it as a useful manual for any young aspirant to ,fly-,fishing honours4 ,,fishing4 ,the author1 in its pages1 gives the result of many years' practical experience of ,fly-,fishing1 and evidently is no tyro4 ,his work1 therefore1 will afford much useful information to those who are in need of it4 ,,hampshire ,,county ,,times4 ,this capitally written essay on the whole art of ,fly-,fishing is from the pen of ,mr4 ,james ,tayler1 who is recognised throughout the kingdom as an authority in the sport on which he gives such excellent instruction4 ,,of ,,james ,,tayler1 #be1 ,,hazelville ,,road1 ,,hornsey ,,rise1 ,,london1 ,n4 ,,and ,,of ,,all ,,booksellers4 ,,price ,,one ,,shilling2 ,by ,post1 #as4 #a-a_/b;d4 ,,second ,,edition4 ,illustration ,,red ,,palmer3 ,a ,,practical ,,treatise ,,on ,,fly ,,fishing4 ,,by ,,james ,,tayler4 ,,london3 ,published by the ,empire ,printing and ,publishing ,co41 ,lim41 #b and #c1 ,salisbury ,court1 ,fleet ,street1 ,e4,c4 #ahhh4 ,,london3 ,,empire ,,printing ,,and ,,publishing ,,company1 ,,limited1 #b ,,and #c1 ,,salisbury ,,court1 ,,fleet ,,street1 ,e4,c4 ,dear ,dr4 ,brunton1 ,i dedicate this little book to you1 knowing that you have proved yourself to be one of the most skilful anglers of the present day2 while all anglers who have the pleasure of your acquaintance know you to be a most genial and intelligent member of the craft1 always ready to promote its interest1 and to communicate the result of your great researches and experience to your fellow-fishermen4 ,yours faithfully and respectfully1 ,,james ,,tayler4 ,to ,j4 ,brunton1 ,esq41 ,m4,a41 ,m4,d4 ,,fly-,,fishing4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,introduction4 ,having read papers on ,fly-fishing before the ,gresham and ,islington ,angling ,societies1 and contributed occasional articles to the fishing periodicals1 ,i have been persuaded by some of the members of those societies to publish my ideas on the subject1 and ,i now submit them to the public1 premising that the following treatise is neither historic nor scientific1 but simply an endeavour to communicate what nearly fifty years of practice and careful observation have taught me to consider as correct principles in a concise and practical form4 ,trusting that it will be received as such1 and will be of some assistance to young anglers in cultivating that1 which1 we are assured by the highest authority on angling1 is an art worth learning4 ,in preparing this short treatise ,i have assumed1 what is generally admitted by fishermen1 that catching trout with an artificial fly is the highest branch of the piscatorial art2 for1 although some bottom-fishers and spinners claim that as much skill is required in their branch as is in fly-fishing1 yet ,i think the palm must be yielded to the fly-fisher4 ,it differs in many respect from all other kinds4 ,the greatest care must be taken not to scare the fish1 either by the sight of the angler or his shadow1 or by awkwardness in managing the rod1 line1 and flies4 ,you have only to watch a fly-fisher and a bottom-fisher a short time to decide where the greatest skill is required and attained4 ,i recollect1 when a very little boy1 having a book1 in which there was a coloured print of a trout1 and underneath were these lines-- ,angler1 mind well what you're about1 ,if you would catch the cunning trout1 and ,i suppose ,i must have profited by the advice1 for in an old diary1 kept by me in #ahci1 there is a record of my having caught four trout weighing #g-a_/dlbs4 when ,i was thirteen years of age4 ,but those were not caught with a fly4 ,the late ,mr4 ,francis ,francis1 than whom there is no higher authority1 says in one of his books1 ,there is far greater skill1 caution1 patience1 and cunning required to delude a brook trout than is thought of in landing the noblest twenty-pound salmon that ever sailed up ,tweed or ,tay4 ,and in further proof of this ,i will give an extract from that excellent little book1 ,stewart's ,practical ,angler4 ,the author says3 ,everything combines to render fly-fishing the most attractive of all branches of the angler's art4 ,the attempt to capture trout1 which are seen to rise at natural flies1 is in itself an excitement which no other method possesses4 ,then the smallness of the hook and the fineness of the tackle necessary for success increases the danger of escape1 and consequently the excitement and the pleasure of the capture2 and1 for our own part1 we would rather hook1 play1 and capture a trout of a pound weight with fly1 than one of a pound and a half with minnow or worm1 where1 the hooks being larger1 there is less chance of their losing their hold1 and1 the gut being stronger1 there is less risk of its breaking4 ,artificial fly-fishing is also the cleanest and most gentlemanly of all the methods of capturing trout4 ,the angler who practises it is saved the trouble of working with worms1 of catching1 keeping alive1 or salting minnows1 or searching the river's bank for the natural insect4 ,armed with a light single-handed rod and a few flies1 he may wander from county to county and kill trout wherever they are to be found4 ,in addition to the pleasure and satisfaction experienced in exerting the faculties necessary to capture the most cunning and cautious of fish1 what can be more delightful in the sweet spring-time than to take one's rod and stroll away into the green meadows1 by the side of the rippling brook1 where the eye is gratified by the trees and hedge-rows which are putting forth their young leaves2 where the sense of smell is refreshed by innumerable wild flowers and herbs1 and where the ear is charmed by the soft coo of the wood pigeon1 the tinkling of a distant sheep-bell1 the cry of a partridge to its mate1 or the occasional splash of a trout in the stream1 which sounds alone disturb the silence8 ,well may ,walton exclaim3-- ,i was for that time lifted above earth1 ,possessed of joys not promised in my birth4 ,an all-wise ,creator gave man dominion over the fish of the sea1 over the fowls of the air1 and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth2 and a very large proportion of the human race1 either from motives of necessity or recreation1 exercise the powers thus given them either in killing or subjugating the lower branches of the animal creation4 ,without wishing to detract from other sports1 ,i think ,walton was quite right in claiming for angling a decided preference4 ,in the present day it is followed by men of all classes1 from the nobleman who owns miles of salmon river to the ,east-end mechanic or apprentice1 who trudges off to the ,lea river on a ,sunday morning with his eighteenpenny roach-rod1 and many of whom1 but for this angling opportunity1 would have no relaxation from the dull1 mill-horse round of their daily lives1 save some kind1 perhaps1 far more demoralising2 but who1 by its judicious indulgence1 by breathing the pure air of the country1 and by being brought into contact with beautiful river scenery and animal and vegetable life1 re-invigorate their bodies1 exalt their minds1 and beget a state of quiet contentment1 patience1 and perseverance exceedingly useful in these days of high-pressure wear-and-tear4 ,sir ,henry ,wotton says of angling1 he found it a cheerer of the spirits1 a tranquillizer of the mind1 a calmer of unquiet thoughts1 a diverter of sadness4 ,ladies1 too1 ever since the time of ,cleopatra1 have liked to betray tawny-finn'd fishes1 and ,dame ,juliana ,berners has shown by her ,boke of ,st4 ,albans that she had a minute and practical knowledge of fyshynge with an angle far beyond the previous writers on the art2 and with the present rage for out-of-door amusements among the fair sex1 fishing has its votaries1 notwithstanding the attractions of croquet and lawn-tennis4 ,having been a fly-fisher many years1 ,i venture to offer a few ideas on the subject1 not with a view to instruct my elder brethren in the art1 but merely to explain some principles that my experience has proved to be correct1 and thereby to save1 perhaps1 some trouble and loss of time to young beginners4 ,i am fully aware that no amount of theory without practice will ever make a fly-fisher1 but ,i am also aware that practice will become much easier1 and be far more likely to prove successful1 if based on a correct theory1 than if left to itself4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,wet ,,and ,,dry ,,fly-,,fishing4 ,various opinions prevail as to wet and dry fishing1 and ,i think in this matter1 if we want to deceive trout1 we should follow ,nature as closely as possible4 ,on a dry1 quiet day the wings of the natural fly are dry1 and when it falls on the water it takes some time before they become saturated1 and until then it floats on the surface4 ,imitate this by giving your artificial fly two or three flicks backwards and forwards before you finally throw it4 ,you thus shake the water out of it1 and it floats4 ,but on wet or very windy days the natural fly soon becomes wet with rain1 or from the broken surface of the water1 and at such times let the artificial lure sink a few inches beneath the surface1 and if the trout are feeding1 fishing in this manner is most deadly4 ,at night ,i have generally found wet fly-fishing to answer best1 even when there has been no rain1 and ,i attribute this to the natural flies becoming damp with dew and thereby sinking4 ,for dry fly-fishing floating flies are now much used4 ,the great objection to them appears to be the hardness of their bodies1 which is no sooner found by trout to be different to the natural fly than they blow it out without giving time to strike4 ,i have found this particularly with cork-bodied ,may-flies1 and prefer the ordinary body in consequence4 ,mr4 ,g4 ,holland1 of ,salisbury1 makes a speciality of floating flies on eyed hooks and cobweb gut1 which bear an excellent reputation2 and my friend1 ,mr4 ,r4 ,b4 ,lodge1 has lately invented a floating fly with an air-tight body1 which floats well and does not get water-logged4 ,if he can make it of a soft material1 not liable to be punctured by the trout's teeth1 ,i think there will be no doubt of its being a great improvement4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,tackle4 ,an important point is to commence with proper tackle1 for it is of no use to attempt to catch trout with a cart-rope tied to a hedge-stake4 ,first1 then1 with regard to the ,rod4 ,a good rod is the angler's chief requisite1 and extraordinary progress has been made in the art of manufacturing rods within the last few years4 ,there are so many excellent makers that it is only necessary to visit one of them and select a rod suitable to your height1 strength1 and fancy1 and in this1 as in many other respects1 fancy goes a long way4 ,for all ordinary purposes1 a rod from ten to twelve feet in length will be sufficient1 and ,i have generally used those made in four pieces1 the lower three of greenheart1 or hickory1 and the top of bamboo4 ,it should be tolerably stiff1 for in windy weather it is impossible with a light whippy-rod to throw against or across the wind and attain any degree of accuracy4 ,it should be double-brazed1 so that the joints may not become fixed by the swelling of the wood when wet1 and the brass joints should be made slightly tapering1 and the whole1 when put together1 should taper regularly from butt to point1 and when held horizontally should be stiff enough to lie almost level4 ,it should1 of course1 be fitted with small brass rings for the line to run through1 which1 if placed at proper distances1 divide the strain equally1 keep the line snug1 and prevent entanglements4 ,another matter of apparently trifling importance1 but really very essential1 is1 that near the ends of each length of the rod1 and being parallel with it1 should be a small brass loop or hitcher1 tied on with fine binding wire4 ,before commencing to fish1 pass a piece of thread or twist round each two of these loops1 and tie the joints firmly together2 this will prevent them from slipping1 which is often the cause of losing a good fish or breaking the rod4 ,after the season is over1 clean the rod with very fine emery powder1 then let it lie in a trough filled with oil for a day or two1 and after it has been out of the oil long enough for the surface to get dry1 give it a couple of coats of clear carriage varnish1 and put it away for the winter4 ,split-cane rods appear to be much on the increase1 but they are rather expensive4 ,it may be1 perhaps1 from having been accustomed for many years to greenheart that ,i do not take readily to the light1 springing motion of cane4 ,this lightness is somewhat modified by the use of steel centres1 but unless they can be made much cheaper than at present1 which ,i think doubtful1 the price will be a great hindrance to their coming into general use4 ,there were some splendid rods in the last ,sportsmen's ,exhibition1 and the man must be very hard to please who could not find one to his taste there4 ,among them all1 the best ,i could see for usefulness1 at a moderate price1 was a little rod called the ,hotspur1 built by ,messrs4 ,hardy1 of ,alnwick4 ,it is made of greenheart1 in two lengths1 and only ten feet long1 but wonderfully powerful as well as pliant1 and is fitted with a spiral joint fastening1 which renders the tying above recommended unnecessary4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,winch ,,line ,,and ,,gut4 ,now1 as to the reel4 ,notwithstanding that some of the books on fishing call the multiplying reel an abomination1 ,i always prefer one2 finding that when you hook a fish it is very desirable to have the means of winding in the slack line quickly should he come towards you4 ,i have used a two-inch brass multiplier some years1 and never1 to my knowledge1 lost a fish by its inaction4 ,the revolving plate is a great improvement on the old windlass4 ,messrs4 ,foster1 of ,ashbourne1 are making an improved winch with a male screw to fit into the female thread at the butt of the rod1 where the spear is usually fixed4 ,this is a great advantage1 as the liability to get the line entangled is not so great as with a side winch1 and it also enables the angler to make more of the length of his rod by grasping it lower down4 ,the best line ,i know of is the ,acm1 also made by ,messrs4 ,foster4 ,it is constructed of plaited silk1 with a very fine strand of annealed copper wire running through it4 ,the wire gives a little weight and stiffness to the line1 so that it does not kink or knot up so readily as one made of all silk1 while it is about half the size of the old-fashioned line made of mixed silk and hair4 ,with this line much more accurate casting can be made than with one of all silk2 and the late ,david ,foster1 the inventor of it1 says that by using it he increased the length of his throw from #bi-a_/byds4 to #cb-a_/byds4 with a single-handed fly rod4 ,but this is extraordinary casting1 such as few can accomplish4 ,at the ,casting ,tournament1 held at ,hendon five years ago1 ,i saw #cjyds4 #f;in4 thrown4 ,anyone who can throw a fly #beyds41 clean and straight1 and pitch it within a yard of the object aimed at1 may consider himself a pretty good hand4 ,where one can do it1 ninety-nine cannot4 ,the gut or casting line should be moderately stout at the upper part1 and tapered down to the point1 and if stained of a dull blue or green colour is less likely to be seen than when quite white4 ,i always make up my own casts by picking out suitable lengths of gut and tying them together by a fisherman's knot1 and if anything gives way ,i have no one but myself to blame4 ,in cutting off the ends of the gut do not cut them quite close to the knot1 but leave just sufficient to take hold of with a pair of tweezers4 ,flatten out the ends by pinching them2 you thus prevent the knot from drawing1 and it need not be clumsy4 ,it is far more economical to use the best gut that can be obtained than to whip off your flies1 or lose a fish1 by having a cheaper article4 ,the whole--rod1 running line and casting line1 wholly and separately--should taper from one end to the other1 and should be in thorough proportion to each other1 and nothing but experience will enable one how to ascertain when this is so4 ,if the rod is too stiff for the line you cannot deliver the latter properly1 and if the line is too heavy for the rod you run the risk of breaking the rod's back2 while1 if the gut is too heavy for the line1 it will pitch all in a heap1 and1 of course1 scare the fish4 ,flies are commonly made with a loop at the end of the gut1 to be passed through a corresponding loop at the end of the casting line4 ,a much neater plan is to cut off the loops1 or buy your flies without them1 and tie the two ends together as above described4 ,flies tied on eyed hooks are a great improvement on the old style4 ,they are more easily packed1 not having that awkward coil of gut attached to them1 which is always so difficult to manage in a book1 and which is almost certain to result in the loss of some flies on a windy day4 ,they can be readily attached and detached when necessary1 and are lighter and float better1 and there is not that friction of the gut at the most important point1 as with flies tied on gut4 ,i have frequently found when fishing that the fly ,i particularly wished to use on clear water was tied on stout gut for rough water1 and was larger than my gut cast above it4 ,this is wrong in principle1 but with eyed hooks gut to suit the water could easily be tied on4 ,never go out without a landing-net4 ,the most convenient is that with a telescopic handle and folding ring4 ,near the upper end of the outside part of the handle should be a brass spring hook1 to slip over the strap which crosses your chest towards the left side4 ,when you hook a fish1 you can1 without moving the right hand from the rod1 lift the landing-net off with the left hand and throw out the handle ready for use4 ,a pair of waterproof wading-boots or stockings1 a good pocket-knife1 a piece of india-rubber1 with which to straighten the gut1 a wicker creel1 and something to eat1 drink1 and smoke1 and you are equipped for a day's sport1 with the exception of flies1 of which ,i shall next treat4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,flies4 ,there is no subject on which anglers differ so much as to what assortment of flies is necessary4 ,some will carry as many as a hundred sorts in their book1 while a few1 following ,mr4 ,cholmondely ,pennell1 are content with three nondescripts of quite an unnatural appearance1 and pretend they can catch as many fish as the man who goes prepared with a larger quantity4 ,walton names nine1 beside caterpillars2 and ,cotton mentions sixty-nine2 while ,ronald1 in his splendid work1 describes very many more to choose from4 ,david ,foster speaks of thirty-one4 ,my experience has taught me that about twenty are necessary and sufficient for all ordinary purposes4 ,in calm weather and smooth water one fly at a time is enough2 but in rain1 wind1 or broken water1 two1 three1 or even four flies may be used with advantage1 as you give the fish a variety to choose from1 and can thereby find out which kind they are taking1 and adapt your cast to their taste4 ,the fly nearest the rod is called the first drop1 the next the second drop1 and so on1 and the farthest from the rod the stretcher4 ,the last drop should be about #bj;in4 from the stretcher1 and the other drops #ab;in4 or #ad;in4 apart4 ,when it is thought desirable to use more than one fly1 bend the loop of your drop fly round one of the knots in the casting-line1 and pass the drop through the loop thus bent and draw it tight4 ,the drop fly will thus stand at right angles with the casting-line1 and should be about #c;in4 from it1 and the trout will not be likely to come in contact with the line when seizing the fly4 ,it does not very often happen that you hook two trout at a time1 and after you have hooked them1 the difficulty is to get them both into the landing-net1 as they dart about in divers directions2 but ,i succeeded in hooking and landing two at a time on three occasions in the summer of #ahha4 ,in such cases get the fish on the stretcher into the net first4 ,two at a time necessitates good tackle and very careful handling4 ,when one can accomplish this difficult feat1 with two trout of a pound weight each1 he may consider himself a fly-fisher4 ,artificial flies should represent1 in size1 shape1 and colour1 as nearly as possible the natural flies which frequent the water you are fishing4 ,on examining the following selection it will be found that the natural flies are chiefly represented by three colours--green1 yellow1 and brown2 and1 although ,mr4 ,pennell was so far right1 the general appearance of natural flies must also be imitated1 if you would achieve success4 ,i do not hold it necessary to follow minutely every colour1 or the exact shape of the natural fly1 because nine out of every ten fish caught seize the fly immediately it alights on the water1 and sometimes even before it touches2 therefore they cannot have time to study very particularly every detail of the lure thus suddenly presented to them1 but1 seeing something apparently resembling what they are feeding on1 dash at it instantaneously1 and find out the mistake when it is too late4 ,what is of far greater importance than the exact representation of the natural fly is1 that when the artificial falls on the water there should be nothing else occurring at the same time to scare the fish4 ,the motion of the arm1 the flash of the rod1 the bungling of the casting-line1 or pitching the fly on the water in an unnatural manner1 all tend to make trout rise short1 or not rise at all4 ,in determining what colours to use it is desirable to look at both natural and artificial specimens through water from underneath1 as they then appear quite different to what they do when viewed out of water4 ,the late ,john ,hammond1 of ,winchester1 designer of the ,hammond's ,adopted and ,wickham's ,fancy1 once showed me this through a clear-bottomed decanter4 ,the following list of flies will be found in the greater part of the ,united ,kingdom1 although they may be called by different names in different localities1 the chief variation being in size rather than colour or shape2 and it is always desirable to use artificial flies of the size of the natural ones which are to be found in the locality you are fishing3-- ,red ,spinner1 ,march ,brown1 ,blue ,dun1 ,alder ,fly1 ,hofland's ,fancy1 ,stone ,fly1 ,grannum1 ,wickham's ,fancy1 ,oak ,fly1 ,sedge1 ,green ,drake1 ,grey ,drake1 ,coachman1 ,black ,palmer1 ,red ,palmer1 ,coch-y-bonddhu1 ,red ,ant1 ,july ,dun1 ,black ,gnat1 ,white ,moth4 ,i am convinced that1 with the above assortment of flies1 there are not many days in the season but that one or other of them will do execution1 and there is seldom a day that trout do not rise at some time or other in it1 unless the water be too thick for them to see the fly4 ,as ,i am writing for the average fly-fisher1 who need not waste the time or take the trouble to make his own flies1 ,i will not attempt to describe the manner of making them1 believing that it is much better to visit a good tackle shop and get what is required2 yet ,i think it desirable to show of what materials they should be composed1 in order that he may know what are the most killing sorts1 and how to distinguish them in ordering4 ,february and ,march4 #a4 ,the ,red ,spinner4--,body1 brown silk1 ribbed with fine gold twist2 tail1 two fibres of a red cock's hackle2 wings1 of some transparent brown feather4 #b4 ,march ,brown1 or ,brown ,drake4--,this1 like the other drakes1 is a great favourite with trout in its season1 which is during ,march and ,april1 and it may also be used in the autumn4 ,body1 orange-coloured silk or deep straw colour1 on which wind fur from a hare's poll2 legs1 a honey-dun hackle2 wings1 to stand erect1 of the top of the light or inner fibres of the feather of the hen pheasant's wing2 tail1 two fibres of the same feather4 ,rib with gold twist for your tail fly1 and let the droppers be without any twist4 ,the above is ,ephemera's way of making it1 but ,mr4 ,ronalds says3 ,body1 fur of the hare's face ribbed over with olive silk and tied with brown silk2 tail1 two strands of a partridge's feather2 wings1 feather of the pheasant's wing2 legs1 a feather from the back of a partridge4 #c4 ,blue ,dun4--,body1 of the hare's ear1 dark and yellow part mixed with a little yellow mohair1 the whole to be spun on yellow silk2 wings1 from a feather of the starling's wing stained in onion dye2 tail1 two whiskers of a rabbit2 legs1 to be picked out of the dubbing at the thick part near the wings4 #d4 ,alder ,fly4--,body1 dark claret-coloured fur2 upper wings1 red fibre of the landrail's wing1 or red tail feather of the partridge2 lower wings1 of the starling's wing feather2 legs1 dark red hackle2 horns and tail1 of fibres the colour of the legs1 the horns to be shorter than the body of the fly1 but the tail a little longer4 #e4 ,hofland's ,fancy4--,body1 reddish dark brown silk2 wings1 woodcock's wing2 legs1 red hackle2 tail1 two strands of a red hackle4 ,april4 #f4 ,stone ,fly4--,body1 fur from hare's ear mixed with yellow worsted and spun on yellow silk2 tail1 two strands of partridge feather2 wings1 pheasant's quill feather from wings2 legs1 greenish brown hackle4 #g4 ,grannum1 or ,green-,tail4--,ephemera says3 ,the grannum is a four-winged fly1 and as it swims down the water its wings lie flat on the back4 ,it has a small bunch of eggs of a green colour at the tail end of the body1 which gives it the name of the green-tail fly4 ,as soon as it alights on the water it drops its eggs4 ,it is dressed as follows3-- ,body1 fur of hare's face left rough and spun on brown silk4 ,a little green floss silk may be worked in at the tail1 to represent the bunch of eggs there4 ,wings1 feather from that of the partridge1 and made very full2 legs1 a pale ginger hen's hackle4 ,made buzz with a feather from the back of a partridge's neck1 wound upon the above body4 #h4 ,wickham's ,fancy4--,wings1 light starling2 body1 flat gold ribbed with fine gold wire2 hackle and whisk1 bright red gamecock4 ,this is one of the best general flies1 and is a standing favourite in the south of ,england2 and ,i have it on the authority of the late ,john ,hammond that he made it under the direction of ,dr4 ,wickham1 of ,winchester--hence its name4 ,may and ,june4 #i4 ,oak ,fly1 or ,down-,looker4--,it is generally found on the trunks of oak trees by the river-side1 with its head pointing downwards1 and is a very useful fly4 ,ephemera recommends it to be dressed as follows3 ,body1 yellow mohair1 ribbed regularly with dark brown silk2 legs1 a honey dun hackle wound thrice under the wings1 which are to lie flat and short1 and to be made of the wing feather of a young partridge or hen pheasant4 ,to be tipped with pale gold twist4 #aj4 ,sedge4--,wings1 wing of landrail2 body1 white floss silk ribbed with silver wire2 hackle1 ginger cock's hackle down the body4 #aa4 ,the ,may-fly1 or ,green ,drake1 is not only a very beautiful fly1 but one of the most captivating that is used1 and1 as ,i have stated elsewhere1 it requires special manipulation4 ,on a windy dull day1 in the middle of the ,may-fly season1 when there are not many natural flies out1 it will very soon fill the basket1 particularly if the water is turbulent4 ,ephemera says3 ,this famous fly is the opprobrium of fly-makers4 ,try how they will they cannot1 in my opinion1 imitate it well4 ,the wings are their greatest foil4 ,in making the body they succeed tolerably well4 ,still1 the best imitation is defective1 and1 except upon rare occasions1 the artificial ,may-fly is not a deadly bait4 ,my experience has been the very contrary of this4 ,whether it is from the fly-tiers having succeeded in imitating the natural fly since ,ephemera wrote1 or not1 ,i do not know1 but ,i have before me two specimens tied by ,mrs4 ,ogden that ,i make no doubt would bring me ten or a dozen brace of trout on a good day in the season4 ,may-flies are often made with cork bodies1 but ,i am not partial to them1 for the same objection which applies generally to floating flies1 viz43 that trout find they have something hard and unnatural in their mouths1 and immediately reject it4 ,on a dry bright day use it as a dry fly1 but on a very wet or windy day fish with it a few inches under the surface1 and1 as ,walton says1 you will have store of trouts4 ,on one occasion last season ,i caught ten brace of trout with one ,may-fly obtained of ,messrs4 ,alfred and ,son1 and have it by me now1 but there is not a vestige of wing left1 all having been bitten off4 ,mr4 ,ronalds recommends it to be dressed as follows3 ,body1 the middle part of a pale straw-coloured floss silk1 ribbed with silver twist2 extremities 7head and tail71 brown peacock's harl1 tied with light brown silk thread2 tail1 three rabbit's whiskers2 wings and legs1 made buzz with a mottled feather of the mallard1 stained olive4 ,instead of the bodies being made of straw-coloured silk they are now frequently made of strips of wheat straw4 #ab4 ,grey ,drake4--,this is said to be a metamorphosis of the green drake1 or female changing to a male4 ,dress it thus3 ,body1 the middle part of white floss silk1 ribbed over neatly with silver twist2 extremities1 brown peacock's harl2 wings and legs made buzz with a mottled feather of the mallard1 stained a faint purple2 legs1 three rabbit's whiskers4 #ac4 ,the ,coachman4--,body1 peacock's harl1 full and short2 wings1 fibres of any small white feather2 legs1 a turn or two of a red hackle4 ,mr4 ,blaine remarks3 ,throughout the summer months1 as an early evening fly1 and until twilight1 it proves most valuable in the midland counties1 and the bordering ones within eighty miles of ,london4 ,on the ,colne1 and throughout its course1 in the ,hampshire1 ,dorsetshire1 and ,devonshire waters1 where we have been for many years in the habit of using it1 in our opinion there is no fly to at all equal it4 #ad4 ,black ,palmer4--,body1 black ostrich harl1 ribbed with gold twist1 black cock's hackle wound over the whole4 #ae4 ,red ,palmer4--,body1 dark red-coloured mohair1 with a richly-tinted red fur intermixed1 to be ribbed with gold or silver twist2 legs1 a blood-red cock's hackle4 ,or1 body1 a peacock harl with a red cock's hackle wrapped over it1 and tied with dark brown silk thread4 ,i have used the ,red ,palmer in all weathers and seasons for nearly fifty years1 and believe it to be the best general fly there is1 although1 strictly speaking1 not a fly1 but an imitation of the caterpillar1 or larva of the tiger moth4 ,having had such success with it ,i have adopted its name as my nom de plume1 and as the title of this little book4 ,july4 #af4 ,coch-y-bonddhu4--,body1 black ostrich harl1 twisted with peacock's harl1 and made with red silk thread2 the wings and legs made buzz with a dark furnace hackle4 #ag4 ,red ,ant4--,body1 copper coloured peacock's harl1 full near the wings and tail2 wings1 a lark's wing feather2 legs1 red cock's hackle4 #ah4 ,july ,dun4--,body1 mole's fur and pale yellow mohair mixed1 and spun on yellow silk2 wings1 dark part of a feather from the starling's wing1 stained dark in strong onion dye2 legs1 dark dun hackle2 tail1 the two flies of the hackle4 ,august4 #ai4 ,black ,gnat4--,body1 one of the smallest feathers of the green plover's top-knot1 or of a black harl1 to be dressed short2 wings1 the darkest fibres of an old starling's wing feather4 #bj4 ,white ,moth4--,wings1 white pigeon's feather2 body1 white crewel2 legs1 white hen's hackle4 ,although ,i have classified these flies under the different months1 it does not follow by any means that they will kill only in the months named2 on the contrary1 some of them may be used month after month1 particularly the hackle flies1 which may be used almost through the season4 ,i exhibited samples of the above kinds in my lecture to the ,gresham and ,islington ,angling ,societies1 showing the relative sizes and colours4 ,these samples were selected from the stock of ,messrs4 ,alfred and ,son1 of ,moorgate ,street1 where ,i generally obtain what ,i require1 and find their flies are to be depended on4 ,as with gut1 so with flies1 it is false economy to buy the cheapest4 ,it requires a deal of patience at times before you can hook a fish2 and1 after you have been so fortunate1 it is terribly annoying to find the gut draw1 and leave the fly in its mouth4 ,to guard against this1 burn all your old flies at the end of the season1 except one or two of a sort for patterns1 and this is another reason why you should not have a heavy stock2 and take care1 in buying your new stock at the spring of the year1 that you get new1 and not those of the previous year4 ,in tying gut to the hook1 a little varnish generally touches the gut1 and at this most critical point the varnish hardens the gut and causes it to snap4 ,this1 of course1 does not occur with eyed hooks1 but even with them it is better to have new flies than old1 as the colours are fresher and the tying more secure4 ,messrs4 ,ogden and ,scotford1 the well-known firm of ,cheltenham1 have lately sent me a few samples of their flies1 tied by ,mrs4 ,ogden1 who has long enjoyed a very high reputation for her tying4 ,they are beautifully made1 and ,i have no doubt will prove good killers2 but1 as the season is now over1 have had no opportunity of trying them4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,up ,,or ,,down ,,stream4 ,so much for the tackle to be used in fly-fishing1 and1 being thus provided1 in what way should the tyro go to work8 ,the first point to be considered is1 ,should he fish up stream or down8 ,old ,father ,izaak says1 fish down stream1 but he was not much of a fly-fisher1 and ,i cannot help thinking that if he had lived in the present day he would have seen fit to alter his opinion in this respect4 ,fish1 like human beings1 have advanced in education since that time1 and1 if you want to catch a trout1 get behind him4 ,i caught a large trout about eight years ago in clear smooth water1 where ,i did not much expect to catch one1 and on examining him ,i found that he had only one eye1 and ,i had got on the blind side and pitched over him4 ,the advantages of fishing up stream appear to me so great that ,i can hardly believe any good fly-fisher can hold a contrary opinion2 but1 lest ,i should seem prejudiced1 ,i will give some reasons for my faith4 ,the trout always lies with its head up stream1 waiting for the food to come down1 and if you approach it from the rear you are not so likely to be seen as when approaching it face to face4 ,again1 the natural fly floats down stream1 and by throwing up and letting the artificial float down you imitate the motion of the natural fly1 taking care to raise the point of the rod as the fly approaches you1 so as not to have any slack line out1 for if you have1 you cannot strike properly4 ,another reason is1 that if while fishing up a trout rises1 when you strike you will in all probability hook it in the side of the mouth as it turns2 but when fishing down1 if you strike1 the motion tends to draw the fly out of the fish's mouth1 and he does not lose much time in getting rid of it if found not to his taste1 and then ,the trout within yon wimplin burn ,glides swift1 a silver dart1 ,and1 safe beneath the shady thorn1 ,defies the angler's art4 ,another important matter to consider is the direction of the wind4 ,always1 if you can1 fish with the wind behind you1 or1 at all events1 so that you can throw across it2 but1 if you must make a choice of evils1 choose the lesser1 and fish up stream and against the wind1 rather than down stream and with the wind4 ,in considering which side of the river to fish1 do not1 if you can help it1 fish from that side whence the sun would cast your shadow on the water1 as nothing is more alarming to trout4 ,it is impossible1 in a short treatise like the present1 to give such instruction in throwing the fly as will make the tyro an adept4 ,it is desirable to practise throwing with both the right and left sweep1 as by changing from one to the other you avoid getting into the bad habit of twisting the rod1 which would assuredly warp and spoil it2 and by practising short throws with the left hand you will be able to give the right arm a few minutes' rest occasionally1 a great relief in a long day's fishing4 ,my advice is1 to commence with a short line1 and when you find that you can deliver the line so as to be prepared to hook a fish as soon as the fly touches the water1 gradually increase the length1 taking care never to attempt to throw more than you can send out clean and straight1 without disturbing the water4 ,but more can be learnt in this respect by an hour's practice with an old hand1 than by any amount of theory4 ,the great points are to keep well out of sight1 and to imitate the descent of the natural fly on the water1 which in the case of the smaller flies is as soft and gentle as a piece of thistle-down2 but with the larger ones1 such as the drakes and moths1 whose bodies are heavy in proportion to the size of their wings1 compared with other flies1 let them fall with a slight spat on the water1 causing a ring to take place on the surface1 and letting the fish know it is there4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,striking ,,and ,,playing4 ,considerable discussion has taken place in the angling papers from time to time as to the proper time for striking a fish2 and three or four years since some extraordinary calculations were made with regard to the period that should elapse before striking1 and for the motion from the arm to reach the hook4 ,my opinion1 as expressed in the ,angler's ,journal at that time1 and lately repeated in ,fishing1 is as follows3 ,as soon as you become aware1 either by sight1 sound1 or feeling1 that a fish has risen1 put the hook in him4 ,but you must be careful not to strike too hard1 or you will either tear the hook out1 or snap the gut1 and thus lose the fish4 ,it should only be a slight twitch1 given from the wrist1 as quick as thought1 just enough to drive the hook in beyond the barb1 but not enough to tear the flesh out4 ,i have often amused myself by feeding trout1 and have noticed that1 after they have taken several pieces1 say of bread or paste1 if ,i threw in something like it in appearance1 such1 for instance1 as a small white stone1 they would seize it1 and1 finding the substance different1 instantly blow it out again4 ,it is reasonable to assume that they would do the same with an artificial fly1 particularly those having cork bodies2 therefore you cannot strike too quickly4 ,but1 as this is a branch of the subject on which great differences of opinion exist1 ,i will here quote some eminent angling authorities in support of my views4 ,francis ,francis says3 ,if a fish rises1 a slight upward turn of the wrist will be sufficient to fix the hook4 ,as for giving any direct rules when to strike1 they would be of little avail1 as sometimes fish rise quickly1 sometimes with more circumspection1 and sometimes altogether falsely4 ,next1 ,cummins3 ,when a trout takes your fly do not strike too hard2 more fish are lost by anglers striking when using small flies than are secured by such means4 ,the line tightened is sufficient in most cases1 particularly in fishing streams4 ,in ,fishing of ,march #cast last ,i say3 ,i agree that in rapid stream fishing there is no necessity for striking4 ,ephemera also advises that1 ,the moment you see1 and then feel1 a rise1 strike gently from the wrist4 ,blaine also writes to the same effect4 ,stewart1 in the ,practical ,angler1 has the following passage3 ,a difference of opinion exists as to whether trout should be struck on rising2 but1 in common with the majority of anglers1 we advocate immediate striking4 ,when a trout takes a fly it shuts its mouth1 and if the angler strikes then he is almost sure to bring the hook into contact with the closed jaws4 ,we have frequently watched the motions of trout on taking a fly1 and when left to do with it as they chose1 they very quickly expelled it from their mouths with considerable force2 and we think that1 if the angler strikes1 even when the trout's mouth is open1 he will have a much better chance than by leaving it to hook itself4 ,a trout on seizing an artificial fly is almost instantaneously aware that it is a counterfeit1 and never attempts to swallow it2 very frequently letting it go before the angler has time to strike1 so that it is of the utmost importance to strike immediately1 and this is the reason why a quick eye and a ready hand are considered the most necessary qualifications for a fly-fisher4 ,foster1 in the ,scientific ,angler says3 ,the action requisite is a short quick wrist-motion1 commenced sharply but ended almost instantly and abruptly1 like a quick movement of the hand in bringing a foil in fencing from tierce to carte4 ,it is impossible to strike too quick1 but it is quite possible to strike too hard4 ,all the above opinions are based on the supposition that a fish has risen4 ,it is not very often that a trout is seen in the act of rising1 but should it be1 of course sufficient time must be given for it to reach the fly1 then strike at once4 ,when you find that you have hooked your fish1 be prepared for its rush1 and then comes the time when all your patience1 experience1 and lightness of hand1 are called into requisition4 ,let the fish have its head a little at first1 taking care to steer it clear of weeds1 bushes1 and sunken obstacles in the water1 and then give it a slight pressure from the rod1 in addition to the friction of the line which it is dragging through the water2 and if you can get it down stream1 so as not to disturb the fish above1 so much the better4 ,when you have got it down stream1 and under command1 do not be in too great a hurry to land it1 for sometimes when you think it is spent it will make a sudden dart1 and you lose it4 ,give it plenty of time to tire itself out1 then put the landing net quietly into the water1 slip it under the fish1 and lift it out4 ,then put the thumb of your right hand into its mouth1 with the fingers at the back of its head1 and press the upper jaw back until its spine is broken4 ,this is far better than letting the fish flop about and discolour itself in the creel4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,when ,,to ,,go ,,fishing4 ,having explained the apparatus necessary for catching trout1 the next part of my subject appears to be the time when to go fishing1 and one important point is the weather4 ,notwithstanding what some writers have said about catching trout in an east wind1 ,i do not believe in it4 ,with a wind from the ,south1 ,west1 or ,south-west1 and a dull or showery day1 one may fairly expect success2 but to go out on a bright clear day1 with wind from the ,north or ,east1 is1 in my opinion1 neither pleasant nor profitable4 ,i have done it many times when ,i had less experience1 though not more enthusiasm1 than at present1 but ,i seldom do it now4 ,an old song says3 ,a ,southerly wind and a cloudy sky ,proclaim a hunting morning2 and they also tell the fly-fisher when to be off to the river4 ,i should not be doing justice to this part of my subject if ,i were not to allude to the fly-fisher's carnival1 the ,may-fly season4 ,from about the last week in ,may till the middle of ,june is the time above all others to catch trout4 ,i have frequently caught five or six brace in a couple of hours during this short season2 but as soon as it is over ,i put away the rod for a few days1 for1 the fish being fairly glutted with the natural fly1 do not care much for the artificial after the former is gone1 although it will sometimes happen that on a rough1 dull day1 you can have good sport for a week or ten days afterwards4 ,the length of the ,may-fly season depends greatly on the weather4 ,it generally lasts about three weeks2 but the present season 7#ahhh7 has been exceptionally wet and cold1 and the flies were only hatched at long and irregular intervals1 owing to the absence of sun4 ,consequently the season extended from the second or third day of ,june till the second week of ,july4 ,on the #aath of ,june last ,i was fishing with a ,may-fly and a small ,soldier-palmer for drop1 my usual custom1 and was struck by the difference of the manner in which fish rose at the two flies4 ,the rise at the ,may-fly was bold and decisive1 but without undue haste1 whilst that at the ,palmer was a sudden swish1 without giving time to strike4 ,i can only account for this by the circumstance that the natural ,may-fly is longer on the water than the ,palmer before it gets water-logged and sinks1 and the fish therefore know that they can take their time about it4 ,the stream was very difficult to fish1 and ,i lost a great many fish as well as flies from getting entangled in the bushes2 nevertheless ,i succeeded in landing twelve brace of trout1 besides some returned4 ,next1 as to the time of day4 ,the most preferable times are from about #h a4m4 till noon1 and after #d p4m4 till midnight4 ,in many trout clubs there is a rule prohibiting fishing after half-past nine2 but1 if you are not restricted in that respect1 you will find that the largest fish are taken from sunset till ten or eleven o'clock4 ,the only justification for late fishing is that the very large trout1 which often attain their great size from preying on their own species1 then come out of their hiding-places and chase the small fry up and down the shallows4 ,these cannibalistic old gentlemen1 who do more harm than good in a trout stream1 do not usually rise at a fly1 and can only be caught with a live bait or worm1 or by night fishing with a sunk fly1 and the end justifies the means4 ,white or brown moths are the favourites4 ,i had some moths made specially large1 on strong gut1 for late fishing1 but found it advisable to use a short line and only one fly1 and to get the fish into the landing-net as soon as possible1 for it is awkward work to land a big fish after dark1 particularly if you are hampered with weeds or bushes4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,habits ,,of ,,trout4 ,a knowledge of the habits of trout is very essential1 and this knowledge can only be acquired by careful observation4 ,the largest fish are generally to be found where they can obtain the best supply of food--such points as just below sharp bends of the stream1 behind large stones or other obstructions1 at the head or tail of deep pools1 and on the margin of swift currents1 or under overhanging banks2 and1 if you take a good fish at any particular spot1 you will probably find1 a day or two afterwards1 that the next best fish in that locality has taken the place of the one you captured4 ,it has often occurred to me that there are several reasons why brook trout do not thrive in the lower part of rivers communicating with the sea4 ,one thing is1 to my mind1 very certain--they do not feel at home in salt1 or even brackish1 water1 and do not seek it of their own accord4 ,having lived many years within sight of a point where a fresh water stream flows into salt water1 ,i have had perhaps exceptional opportunities of observing them1 and forming an opinion on the subject2 and1 although ,i have lately seen an apparently well-supported contrary opinion strongly expressed1 ,i am not yet convinced1 thinking that probably some error may have crept in as to the kind of fish1 or some disturbing cause taken place in the state of the water4 ,occasionally they get washed down by floods1 or by the breaking away or uplifting of hatches or gates2 but1 as soon as the rush of water subsides1 they begin to work their way up again1 and if there is an obstacle to their ascending1 such as a weir or mill1 they are sure to be found close up to it1 having got as far as they can4 ,they always seem prompted by instinct to work upwards into shallow rapid water1 where the bottom is gravelly1 and1 ,i believe1 for the following reasons3 ,they can there deposit and cover up their ova1 and1 when hatched1 the young fry can get protection among it from their numerous enemies in their early days2 and1 although food may be plentiful in muddy sluggish streams near salt water1 it is not of the kind that trout delight in4 ,larva1 flies1 and minnows abound in clear bright streams1 and there the trout can clean themselves from their parasites1 and1 with healthy bodies and abundance of the food they enjoy1 come into condition early1 and become lusty and strong4 ,in the breeding time they1 like many other animals1 lose their usual caution and shyness1 and when performing their natural functions seem to take no notice of what is passing around them2 and thus very many of the best fish are captured in shallow water1 and the streams almost depopulated4 ,the greatest vigilance should be exercised in the spawning time to prevent poachers1 both human and others1 from preying upon them4 ,in addition to men1 swans1 ducks1 otters1 herons1 pike1 perch1 c41 c41 all prey on the luckless trout and its ova and fry1 and the wonder is that the stock is so well maintained as it is4 ,otters and herons in particular appreciate this dainty1 and either of them will travel across country many miles to get to a well-stocked trout stream4 ,so strong is the instinct of the trout to get into shallow streams to deposit their spawn1 that they will leap waterfalls several feet in height1 or wriggle up over gravel where there is not half enough water to cover them1 and where it is frequently impossible for them to get back again1 and there they are often destroyed4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,where ,,to ,,go ,,fishing4 ,having spoken of the how and when1 next comes the where2 and under this head ,i feel bound1 in the interests of friends1 not to describe1 other than in very general terms1 the localities where good fishing is to be had4 ,walton1 from frequently visiting ,winchester1 where his remains lie1 and where a statue of him has lately been erected by anglers1 7the movement for which ,i had the honour of starting71 was doubtless well acquainted with ,hampshire--or1 as he quaintly calls it1 ,hantshire1--which1 he says1 exceeds all ,england for its swift1 shallow1 clear1 pleasant brooks1 and store of trouts4 ,in his will he mentions part of his books as being at ,droxford 7about eleven miles from ,winchester71 where it is presumed he resided occasionally4 ,i know no better trout stream than that in this locality4 ,many a basket of goodly trout have ,i had from it in days gone by4 ,it was near here that ,i caught the two large trout at one time1 before alluded to4 ,i suppose at the present time the ,avon1 the ,test1 and the ,itchen are unsurpassed in the ,united ,kingdom4 ,all the north1 or what is commonly called the upper1 part of ,hampshire1 forms part of the south-western edge of the basin of the ,thames1 and is drained into it by the ,wey1 the ,enborn1 and the ,blackwater4 ,the district east of ,alton and north of the ,south ,downs is drained by the ,rother1 which is a tributary of the river ,arun1 and discharges into the ,english ,channel1 near ,arundel1 in ,sussex4 ,in all these rivers1 springing out of the chalk hills1 there is good trout fishing1 but not equal to that on the south side of the ,south ,downs1 where the country1 sloping away to the southward and westward1 either drains into the ,solent or the river ,avon2 and it is to these southern rivers and streams that ,walton more particularly alluded4 ,the ,test1 or ,anton1 rises in the neighbourhood of ,andover and ,whitchurch1 and falls into the ,southampton ,water to the westward of the town of ,southampton1 while the ,itchen1 rising near ,alresford1 and passing ,winchester and ,bishopstoke1 discharges into ,southampton ,water to the eastward of the town4 ,the ,avon1 entering ,hampshire from ,wiltshire1 and passing ,fordingbridge and ,ringwood1 discharges into ,christchurch ,bay1 where the ,stour also empties itself4 ,there are also several smaller streams rising south of the hills which stretch from ,winchester to ,petersfield1 and discharge themselves into the ,solent4 ,all these streams are well stocked with trout1 and some of them contain roach1 perch1 pike1 and grayling1 and the larger ones also salmon4 ,if greater facilities were given to salmon to ascend they would doubtless do so1 as they are occasionally caught in stake nets while working their way along the south coast1 evidently in search of rivers1 up which to ascend for the purpose of spawning4 ,but the river proprietors do not provide means for the salmon to go upwards1 it being generally considered that salmon and trout do not thrive well together1 and that if the breeding of salmon was encouraged it would be at the expense of the trout fisheries4 ,nearly all these ,hampshire rivers are strictly preserved1 and some of those in the vicinity of ,andover1 ,stockbridge1 ,houghton1 and ,winchester are in the hands of first-class clubs1 the subscriptions to which are high1 and access difficult4 ,still1 there are a few pieces of free water at ,winchester1 ,bishopstoke1 and ,romsey2 and ,mr4 ,currell and ,mr4 ,chalkley1 both of ,winchester1 rent considerable portions of the river there1 and issue season and day tickets4 ,at ,bishopstoke1 where there is some splendid trout and grayling fishing1 season and day tickets are now being issued by the proprietor of a large estate1 who has hitherto preserved very highly1 and would scarcely allow his own friends to fish2 and several instances have come to my knowledge lately where landed proprietors1 only able to obtain a reduced income from their farms1 have been glad to supplement it by making a few pounds annually out of their fishing4 ,so that1 to the angler as well as the land owner1 agricultural distress is not an unmitigated evil4 ,and if more attention was paid to the stocking and preserving of rivers1 the incomes of landed proprietors might be considerably increased1 and a very important addition made to the food of the country4 ,the ,avon1 at ,ringwood1 in the ,new ,forest1 about #ajj miles ,s4,w4 of ,london1 has some good salmon1 trout and grayling fishing1 and also very fine roach and perch4 ,day tickets can be obtained of the hotel keepers4 ,the ,beaulieu river1 the tidal portion of which is1 of course1 free1 is noted1 not only for its coarse fish1 but also for quantities of sea-trout that frequent it in the autumn months4 ,fishermen have increased so rapidly in the last few years that those who have fishing rights take care of them1 and where one could formerly go unchallenged1 he now has to ask permission for a day1 and very often may consider himself lucky if he gets it4 ,there are now about #ahj angling societies in and around ,london1 consisting of nearly #e1jjj members1 besides a large number of anglers who do not belong to any society2 consequently fish have been becoming more and more scarce year after year1 and the increase of population and pollution of rivers have also tended to drive them away4 ,but1 in order to supply to some extent the deficiency1 artificial breeding has become very general4 ,the ,national ,piscicultural ,society breed and distribute immense numbers of young trout every year4 ,greater efforts are also being made than formerly to prevent poaching1 the destruction of undersized fish1 and taking them when out of season2 therefore1 the prospects of anglers are beginning to look brighter4 ,in describing the where to go fishing1 ,i have alluded more particularly to ,hampshire1 not only because it is the best part of ,england for trout1 but because it also happens to be the county with which ,i am best acquainted4 ,throughout the whole of the county1 fishing for trout with anything but an artificial fly is considered unsportsmanlike1 and is strictly prohibited in all the clubs4 ,still1 there are many other localities where1 if the angler does not mind going farther afield1 good trout fishing can be obtained4 ,for instance1 ,scotland and ,wales1 where1 from the hilly conformation of the country1 the streams are rapid and therefore suitable for trout2 ,devonshire1 where the trout are small1 but very numerous2 the neighbourhood of the ,peak1 in ,derbyshire1 than which there is none much better2 the upper portions of the ,thames and ,lea and their tributaries--all these are worth the fly-fisher's attention1 and many of them will repay him for the time and trouble spent in visiting them4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,curious ,,captures4 ,when fishing in ,hampshire some ten or twelve years ago1 a moorhen came out of some bushes near me and rushed down the brook1 with its feet just trailing along on the surface4 ,as it was going over my line ,i gave a twitch and hooked it in the under part of the foot1 where the skin is as tough as leather4 ,then ,i had a lively time for about twenty minutes1 up and down1 in and out2 but my tackle was good1 and ,i handled the rod carefully1 till at length the bird was pretty well tired1 and got in among some bushes1 and a friend who was with me went into the water and got it into the landing-net4 ,i preserved it and had it mounted4 ,on another occasion ,i saw a rat swimming across the stream1 and pitched my fly just beyond him and hooked him firmly4 ,of course he dived1 but could not get away from me1 and at last came ashore into the long grass where ,i was standing4 ,it was nearly dark and ,i could not see him1 but presently found he had got the line entangled round my legs4 ,i threw the rod down1 and stamped about1 thinking to tread on him1 but suppose ,i trod on the gut1 for he got away with it4 ,when ,i picked up my rod ,i found ,i had stamped on it also and broken it2 therefore ,i determined to let the next rat alone4 ,another time ,i had been fishing late1 with a white moth1 and1 on leaving off1 twisted the gut and fly round my hat4 ,getting through a hedge the gut caught in a bramble1 and the fly went into my scalp1 and the more ,i pulled the worse it was4 ,the same friend was with me1 and helped me out of it4 ,we then went to a doctor1 who snipped away the hair and cut the hook out4 ,it is not very often that an eel is taken with a fly1 but ,i was once fishing with a ,palmer1 and1 being tired1 very carelessly laid my rod down with the fly in the water1 which1 of course1 sank to the bottom4 ,i strolled about1 and coming back picked up the rod1 and found an eel attached1 which ,i landed4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,conclusion4 ,finally1 fly-fishing may be considered one of the best of sports1 because it can be followed late in life4 ,most devotees of sport1 when the nerves become shaky and the eyes grow dim1 must content themselves with thinking or talking of what they did in their youth4 ,but it is not so with the fly-fisher4 ,he can still throw a fly and play a trout1 better perhaps than in his youth1 because of his greater experience2 and1 when in the down-hill of life he looks back on the hopes and anticipations of his boyhood days1 it must be gratifying to feel that the times spent among the beauties of nature in exercising the angler's art have been the most enjoyable parts of his life1 and that he is none the worse man for having obeyed the precepts and followed the example of our grand old past master1 ,izaak ,walton4 ,,appendix4 ,it is doubtful whether the gratification of taking fish is equal to that which results from the recital of the achievement1 and describing to a sympathetic audience the method and tackle by which the prey has been ensnared4 ,walton and his friends1 after a long day1 loved to meet at some village alehouse1 and fight their battles o'er again2 and in the present day one of the most enjoyable parts of the evening spent at an ,angling ,society is when the chairman asks1 ,has any one been fishing8 and the members recount their piscatorial experiences since the last meeting4 ,any one unaccustomed to such meetings would be surprised at the knowledge of rivers1 the country1 the habits1 and the haunts of particular kinds of fish and insects1 the various sorts of baits and tackle to be used1 and all the technical information which the ,london angler displays on such occasions2 and this broader view of nature and life is not the least of the benefits derived from following the piscatorial art4 ,the ,london clubs number about #bjj1 with upwards of #e1jjj members2 and considering that a very large number of anglers do not belong to any club1 it will be readily understood that the angling fraternity form a considerable part of the community1 whose great aim is to enjoy themselves in a rational and innocent manner1 away from the clank of machinery1 the roar of street traffic1 and the stifling atmosphere of a great city2 and every assistance and encouragement should be given them to do so--and they are progressing4 ,many of them practice fly-fishing2 and if trout are not to be got1 there are chub1 dace1 and bleak1 and occasionally a roach1 to reward them for their skill4 ,the one great difficulty is where to get good fishing1 and this is to some extent overcome by the co-operation of anglers1 through their clubs and associations1 who not only rent waters for their members1 but make arrangements with the railway companies to take them into the country and back at greatly reduced fares4 ,the preserving and re-stocking of waters also form an important part of the business of angling clubs4 ,experience has taught them that it is of very little use to turn in fry before they are old enough to take care of themselves1 but that it is more satisfactory1 and ultimately more economical to purchase yearling fish in the first place4 ,these various matters have been so well attended to1 that1 notwithstanding the great increase in the number of anglers1 access to well-stocked rivers is more easy of attainment now than it was a few years ago4 ,of course1 every care should be taken to prevent poaching1 to keep down predaceous fish1 and prevent undersized and out-of-season fish from being taken2 but with these precautions1 if the river is naturally adapted for the kind of fish required1 there should be no difficulty4 ,in the case of trout1 the quantity1 quality1 and size will very much depend on the quantity and kind of food to be obtained4 ,there should be plenty of weeds1 sedge1 flags1 c41 not only for shelter1 but they are the natural breeding places of insects and crustacea1 in which trout delight1 and if the river is overhung with trees and bushes it not only adds to the security of the fish1 but harbours flies and other insects which drop off into the water4 ,,wet v4 ,,dry4 ,the difference between wet and dry fly-fishing is this3 the wet fly is worked gently along some few inches beneath the surface until a fish is found1 which1 when they are scarce1 or not rising1 may be a tedious process1 and often the first intimation is a sudden tug without any rise1 which should be immediately answered by as sudden a twitch from the wrist4 ,the dry-fly fisherman walks quietly along by the side of the stream1 and if he sees a trout rising1 drops his fly lightly a little above it1 and preferably also a little on one side1 and lets it float down stream on the surface to the fish1 gently raising the point of his rod in the meantime4 ,in case no fish are rising1 he carefully casts to the most likely-looking spots1 and particularly under the bank on which he is standing4 ,in nine cases out of ten1 a trout1 if it rises at all1 takes the dry fly immediately it touches the water2 therefore1 one should learn to cast clean and straight1 without any slack line4 ,,tackle4 ,there is a great difference of opinion among anglers as to the amount of pliancy a fly-rod ought to possess4 ,from the old-fashioned1 heavy1 stiff rod1 we have gone to the other extreme1 and had cane rods so light and whippy as to be entirely useless on a windy day2 and now we have what is1 in my opinion1 a somewhat sensible reaction1 and are coming back to a greenheart from ten to twelve feet long1 of medium substance and pliability4 ,such a rod1 with an ,acme line suited to it1 and the whole adapted to the height and strength of the angler1 ought to make good casting4 ,long casting may be showy1 but in practice it is far better to cast lightly and accurately1 and this tends to fill the basket much more than being able to get out an extra length4 ,one piece of advice may be relied on3 never part with a good rod after you have become accustomed to it4 ,it is not only the pleasurable associations connected with it1 but the confidence you have in it1 and1 through it1 in yourself1 enables you to kill fish with it4 ,with care1 it may be made to last a lifetime4 ,i used1 the other day1 at the ,international ,tournament1 a greenheart that ,i have used almost exclusively for about twelve years1 and with which ,i have killed many hundred brace of trout4 ,if1 on the occasion referred to1 ,i had used an ,ogden and ,scotford's multum in parvo1 ,i believe ,i should have thrown two yards farther4 ,,flies4 ,i see no reason to alter the list given in the first edition1 indeed1 subsequent experience has tended to confirm my opinion expressed therein4 ,many old anglers say it is of no use in the ,may-fly season to try any other fly4 ,i generally use a ,may-fly as stretcher1 and a small ,soldier-palmer as drop1 and out of seventeen-and-a-half brace of trout caught last ,whitsuntide in two half-days1 one-third of them were caught on the ,palmer4 ,others say it is useless to try a ,may-fly1 except when the natural fly is out2 but this is also subject to modification4 ,there have been two or three well-authenticated cases reported in the sporting journals lately1 of fish having been killed some weeks before and after the season on ,ephemera vulgata4 ,indeed1 there has been seen in ,ireland this autumn a second very strong rise of ,may-fly4 ,in the first edition ,i speak of the ,grey-drake thus3--,this is said to be a metamorphosis of the green drake1 or female1 changing to a male4 ,the passage should have read thus3--,this is said by some writers to be1 c4 ,i had not the slightest intention of giving that as a fact1 or as my own opinion1 knowing otherwise4 ,flies tied on eyed hooks with cocked or upright wings1 in imitation of the natural fly when floating down a stream1 are coming into use more and more1 and apparently will supersede those tied on gut1 and with flat wings4 ,,when ,,to ,,go ,,fishing4 ,a century ago it was not possible to get forecasts of the weather from the daily papers1 and the death of ,admiral ,fitzroy in middle life1 and in the midst of his scientific discoveries1 was a great blow to the advancement of this branch of science4 ,but with greater facilities for conveying intelligence round the whole globe1 it could not but happen that more accurate information of air currents should be sent forward to the countries likely to be affected by them4 ,the following is from the ,art of ,angling1 published in #ahaj3--;,it is the best fishing in a river somewhat disturbed by rain1 or on a cloudy day when the waters are moved with a gentle breeze2 the south and west winds are the best1 and if the wind blows high1 yet not so but that you may conveniently guide your tackle1 then fishes will rise in the still deeps2 but if there is little wind stirring1 the best angling is in swift streams4 ,in casting your line1 do it always before you1 and in such a manner that the fly may fall first on the water4 ,when you throw your line1 wave the rod in a small circumference round your head1 and never make a return of it before the line has had its full scope1 or the fly will snap off4 ,although when you angle the day is cloudy and windy1 and the water thick1 you must keep the fly in continual motion1 otherwise the fishes will discern the deceit4 '444 ,upon the curling surface let it glide ,with nat'ral motion from your hand suppli'd2 ,against the stream now let it gently play1 ,now in the rapid eddy float away4' ,when fishes rise at the fly very often1 and yet never take it1 you may conclude that it is not what they like1 therefore change it for the one they do4 ,,playing ,a ,,fish4 444 ,should you lure ,from his dark haunt1 beneath the tangled roots ,of pendent trees1 the monarch of the brook1 ,behoves you then to ply your finest art2 ,long time he1 following cautious1 scans the fly1 ,and oft attempts to seize it1 but as oft ,the dimpled water speaks his jealous fear3 ,at last1 while haply o'er the shaded sun ,passes a cloud1 he desperate takes the death ,with sullen plunge3 at once he darts along1 ,deep struck1 and runs out all the lengthen'd line1 ,then seeks the farthest ooze1 the sheltering weed1 ,the cavern'd bank1 his own secure abode2 ,and flies aloft1 and flounces round the pool1 ,indignant of the guile4 ,with yielding hand1 ,that feels him still1 yet to his furious course ,gives way1 you1 now retiring1 following now ,across the stream1 exhaust his idle rage1 ,till floating broad upon his breathless side1 ,and to his fate abandon'd1 to the shore ,you gaily drag your unresisting prize4 ,,casting4 ,there are several kinds of casts to be used1 for the ordinary casts will be of little avail under some circumstances4 ,to make the ordinary cast1 begin with a short line1 and by the action of the wrist and forearm propel it out in front of you1 so that when it is extended to the full length1 the fly will be two or three feet above the surface1 on which it should fall by its own weight4 ,in repeating the cast raise the point of the rod slowly1 and bring it back over your right shoulder1 so that the line shall describe the shape of a horse-shoe behind you2 then throw it forward again in the same manner as before2 keep casting in this way until you can throw a tolerable length1 say1 twelve or fourteen yards1 always striving more for accuracy and delicacy than length4 ,sometimes a fish may be seen rising which is out of reach of the ordinary cast4 ,in such case it will be necessary to adopt what is called the augmented cast4 ,throw out as much line as you can in the ordinary way1 then with the forefinger of the right-hand press the line against the rod1 draw two or three yards off the reel with the left hand2 bring back the line and throw it forward again1 and just before it reaches its fullest extent remove your finger1 and the impetus of the line will carry out the two or three yards taken off the reel4 ,the spey throw is used for a similar purpose4 ,if you are fishing a large river or lake with a strong wind behind you1 when the line is extended to its utmost limit by the ordinary cast1 whisk the fly off the water by an upward and backward movement of the hand2 but deliver it forward again1 just as the last of the reel line is leaving the surface1 by a rapid downward cut with the upper portion of the rod4 ,it is possible in this way to get out four or five yards more line than by the ordinary cast4 ,when trees or bushes overhang the water the side cast is sometimes useful4 ,let out a short line1 and wave the rod from side to side horizontally1 until the line follows the motion of the rod1 then pull a yard or two off the reel and swish it on to the water4 ,the best way to get it off again is to reel in4 ,it will occasionally happen that when trees are overhanging there is not room on either side to use the side cast4 ,the underhand cast here comes in4 ,take the fly between the finger and thumb of the left hand1 and by giving the rod a forward and upward motion1 drop the fly on to the water in front of you4 ,when high bushes stand between you and the river the steeple cast is handy4 ,by the action of the rod work the line up perpendicularly above your head1 then pitch it down over the bushes on to the water4 ,these special casts are only used in special circumstances requiring them1 but they are often instrumental in producing big fish from otherwise inaccessible spots1 and it is in such spots that the big fish generally lie4 ,,angling ,,clubs4 ,in conclusion1 ,i would recommend all anglers1 whether living in ,london or the provinces1 to join a good club3 they there meet kindred spirits1 and form friendships and connections1 that make life pleasant4 ,many of these clubs rent waters for the use of their members1 which would not be within the reach of individuals4 ,scientific papers on the art are occasionally read1 and discussions based on them2 lectures and smoking concerts are often added to the programme2 some of them possess extensive circulating libraries accessible to their members only1 while most of their rooms are hung with specimen fish1 portraits of prominent anglers1 aquatic birds1 flies1 c4 ,in winter evenings1 when angling is out of the question1 the interest in the sport is thus kept up1 and plans for the coming season formed1 tackle compared1 and various other matters arranged4 ,most of the ,london clubs admit country members at a lower rate of subscription than ordinary members1 and thus benefits accrue on both sides4 ,country members1 when in town1 can obtain all the advantages enumerated1 and they have occasionally the opportunity of procuring the town member a day's fishing far from the madding crowd4 ,,red ,,palmer4 ,illustration ,,alfred ,,son1 ,,fishing ,,rod ,,and ,,tackle ,,makers ,,to ,h4,r4,h4 ,,the ,,duke ,,of ,,edinburgh1 #bj1 ,,moorgate ,,street1 ,e4,c4 ,,before ,,buying ,,fishing ,,tackle ,,call ,,and ,,inspect ,our ,selection of ,trout ,rods1 the most complete ,stock in ,london4 ,,single ,,brazed ,,fly ,,rods ,,from #g_/f ,check ,winches from #bs4 ,fly ,lines1 #a;d41 #b;d41 and #c;d4 per yard4 ,gut ,casts from #d;d4 to #as4 each4 ,flies dressed on best ,drawn ,gut1 kept in ,stock1 or tied to any ,pattern1 #bs4 per doz4 ,,send ,a ,,guinea ,,for ,,our ,,fly-,,fishing ,,outfit ,comprising ,brazed ,rod1 ,metal ,winch1 #dj yards ,line1 ,casts1 and ,book of ,flies4 ,foreign and ,country ,orders must enclose ,remittance4 ,note the ,address3 #bj1 ,,moorgate ,,street1 ,,london4 ,e4,c4 ,,the ,,acme ,,metal ,,centred ,,lines are the ,finest and ,best yet made4 ,they are the most ,scientifically constructed ,fly and ,spinning ,lines ever introduced to the ,angling public4 ,they are supplied on this condition of purchase3 ,cash refunded or duplicate line supplied if line be not deemed satisfactory after twelve months' wear4 ,illustration ,mr4 ,wm4 ,senior1 7,angling7 ,editor of the ,field1 says3 ,my experience of the lines with wire centre is quite another thing1 and it is confined to the ',acme' of ,messrs4 ,d4 ,w4 ,h4 ,foster1 of ,ashbourne4444 ,i ordered a line that will do for light salmon or ,pike ,spinning 7,no4 #a71 and another for trout fishing 7,no4 #j74 ,this was two seasons ago4 ,i have used both lines hard ever since1 and they appear to be quite good for the chances of #ahhf4 ,they are1 in short1 the best lines ,i ever had4--,contribution to a controversy re ,lines1 in the ,fishing ,gazette1 ,march #bgth1 #ahhf4 ,see also recommendations of the ,acme in ,land and ,water1 ,august #bhth1 #ahhh2 ,bell's ,life1 ,september #ahth1 #ahhe2 ,fishing ,gazette1 ,september #aith1 #ahhe3 ,field1 ,august #afth1 #ahhd2 and the leading journals of ,russia1 ,austria1 the ,u4,s4,a41 ,finland1 c4 ,the ,british ,braided ,all-,silk ,waterproof ,lines 7#a-a_/b;d4 per yd471 and ,the ,indestructible ,ditto 7#a_/f per score yds47 are the best all-silk ,lines in the ,market4 ,the ,best ,killing ,flies are the new ,skin ,winged ,,bittern4 ,patent applied for4 ,price #c_/- per dozen4 ,illustration ,they are fifty per cent4 nearer nature than the old style artificials4 ,two of the three varieties sent had a fair trial1 and they proved more successful than any other flies4--,the ,rev4 ,a4 ,r4 ,francis1 ,m4,a41 in the ,fishing ,gazette1 ,september #aeth1 #ahhh4 ,for ,new and ,refined ,improvements in ,tackle1 see ,,foster',s ,,catalogue4 ,,phenomenal ,,success ,has attended the ,inventions and ,improvements we have1 during the past half century1 introduced4 ,every ,angler should possess a copy of our ,newly ,issued ,catalogue4 ,well worth #as41 vide ,fishing ,gazette4 ,it contains #acc pages1 and over #bjj illustrations 7some in colours74 ,post free1 four stamps4 ,d4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,foster1 ,manufacturers1 ,,ashbourne1 ,,england4 ,,hardy',s ,,rods4 ,,cane ,,built ,,steel-,,centre1 ,,cane ,,built ,,greenheart1 ,,and ,,general ,,tackle ,,stand4 ,,unrivalled ,,throughout ,,the ,,world4 ,this is proved by the great number of ,,awards given them1 and their ,,general ,,use by ,,anglers of ,,note4 ,,registered ,illustration ,,trade ,,mark4 ,those who wish for ,,perfect ,,adaptability1 giving the ,,best ,,results with the ,,least ,,expenditure of ,,force or ,,cash1 should send ,,three ,,stamps for our ,,illustrated ,,catalogue and ,,anglers' ,,guide4 ,,hardy ,,brothers1 ,,london ,,north ,,british ,,works1 ,,alnwick1 ,,northumberland4 ,,holland',s ,,floating ,,flies4 ,,geo4 ,,holland1 of ,,bridge ,,street1 ,,salisbury1 ,practical ,fly-,fisher and ,fly ,maker1 begs to inform ,anglers that he is now prepared to execute orders for his ,,standard ,,trout and ,,grayling ,,flies for ,hampshire1 ,derbyshire1 ,yorkshire1 and all other ,streams1 at the following prices for cash3--,hackle ,flies1 #as4 #i;d4 per dozen2 ,single-winged ,flies1 #bs4 per dozen2 ,double-winged ,floaters1 #bs4 #f;d4 per dozen2 ,ibis1 ,macaw1 and ,indian ,crow ,tags1 #bs4 #f;d4 per dozen4 ,bumbles1 ditto1 on gut1 or ,eyed ,hooks4 ,,every ,,hook ,,is ,,tested ,,both ,,before ,,and ,,after ,,tying4 ,g4 ,h4 is agent for the ,celebrated ,english ,split-,cane ,fly ,rods1 made by ,messrs4 ,hardy ,brothers1 and has ,special ,patterns for ,dry-,fly ,fishing1 as used by some of the best ,hampshire ,anglers4 ,agent for ,messrs4 ,s4 ,allcock and ,co4's ,celebrated ,standard ,angling ,requisites4 ,holland's ,cobweb ,gut sold in three-yard ,tapered ,casts1 or in ,hanks4 ,this ,gut is of the best quality obtainable1 and carefully selected4 ,flies made to order1 and from the patterns given in ,mr4 ,halford's ,floating ,flies and ,how to ,dress ,them4 ,g4 ,h41 having personal and practical knowledge of ,fly-,fishing both in ,north and ,south ,country ,streams1 is able to advise his ,customers as to the ,best ,killers for different seasons and localities4 ,by ,special ,appointment ,sole ,agent in this neighbourhood for ,messrs4 ,s4 ,allcock and ,co41 ,standard ,works1 ,redditch4 ,being a ,specialist for ,trout and ,grayling ,requisites1 gentlemen may rely on getting just what they want4 ,i am very much pleased with the flies4 ,they are splendidly tied and are just what ,i wanted4 ,francis ,francis1 ,esq4 99 99 99 99 99 ,g4 ,holland is one of the most excellent professional fly tiers in the three kingdoms1 and has carried the department of ,floating ,fly-tying to special excellence4 ,h4 ,cholmondeley ,pennell1 ,esq4--,badminton ,library4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i never saw anything more life-like or perfect4 ,francis ,m4 ,walbran1 ,esq4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as a fly fisher of more than fifty years1 ,i have had very extensive experience of ,fly ,dressing1 and it is fairly due to you to state that ,i have never met with flies better or more artistically tied than yours1 and ,i never miss an opportunity of recommending your flies4 ,h4 ,r4 ,francis1 ,esq4--,badminton ,library4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,cobweb ,,drawn ,,gut ,,with ,,unbroken ,,skin4 ,examined by the microscope the gut is much rounder and more perfect in structure than any ,i have seen1 also smaller in diameter2 some of the lengths are #c-a1jjjths of an inch only4 ,its transparency is also very great1 and there are seen no fibres along the length1 which is so common with the ordinary drawn gut4 ,please send two more hanks4 ,j4 ,hawksley1 ,esq41 ,london4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dear ,sir1--,i promised to let you know how those small eyed snecks did among heavy fish4 ,i am glad to find them exceeding good2 so far ,i have had no accidents with them1 and ,i had some very heavy fish4 ,amongst others1 ,i have killed during the last four days six grayling weighing #aelb41 the heaviest brace going a trifle over #e-c_/dlb4 ,all these fish have been killed on your cobweb gut1 which is the best ,i ever had--a perfect marvel of strength and fineness combined4 ,most of my fish have succumbed to the tiny ,orange ,tags ,i had from you a fortnight ago1 though the largest fish1 a three-pounder1 came home on a light ,olive4 ,the ,orange ,tag is1 however1 about the best grayling fly it is possible to use on a sunny day1 and it will1 in bright weather1 frequently do execution with trout4 ,i hooked three good fish with it in less than ten minutes one day last week4 ,yours very truly1 ,h4 ,s4 ,hall4 ,ogden ,scotford1 ,,manufacturers ,,of ,fishing ,rods1 ,flies and ,tackle ,for all ,parts of the ,world4 #be1 ,,crayford ,,road1 ,,holloway ,,london4 ,works at ,,pitville1 ,,cheltenham4 ,,prize ,,medallists1 ,,fisheries ,,exhibition1 ,,london1 #ahhc4 ,,six ,,international ,,awards4 ,only ,makers of the ,prize ,medal ,,multum ,,in ,,parvo ,,trout ,,rod1 now used by most of the ,leading ,sportsmen4 ,only ,makers of the ,celebrated ,,deveraux ,,mahoe ,,salmon ,,and ,,trout ,,rods2 ,the lightest and toughest ,wood ,rods ever yet introduced4 ,rods to ,order of any ,description1 all warranted ,hand ,made4 ,the ,original and ,world ,renowned ,,james ,,ogden',s ,,trout ,,flies1 ,,of ,,first ,,quality ,,only1 ,,dressed ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,james ,,ogden4 ,special attention given to ,pattern ,flies4 ,outfits for any part of the ,world on the shortest notice possible4 ,transcriber's notes3 ,text in italics is marked with underscore1 bold text with the equals sign and small capitals with plus4 ,double underlined text marked with tilde4 ,archaic spelling retained4 ,the following corrections have been made3 p4 #be3 opprobium corrected to opprobrium p4 #dc3 ,southamption corrected to ,southampton ,advertisement ,holland's ,floating ,flies3 miscroscopecorrected to microscope4 ,obvious punctuation errors repaired 7e4g4 added period after ,no ,no4 #j74