,a ,,concise ,,practical ,,treatise ,,on ,,artificial ,,fly ,,fishing ,,for ,,trout4 ,,by ,,grey ,,drake1 ,,an ,,artificial ,,fly-,,fisher ,,of ,,fifty ,,years' ,,experience4 ,,london3 ,,published ,,by ,g4 ,,berger1 ,,holywell ,,street1 ,,strand4 ,,price ,,one ,,shilling ,,and ,,sixpence4 ,,preface4 ,in the following humble effort ,i have endeavoured to communicate to the inexperienced lovers of artificial fly-fishing1 as concisely as possible1 and in a practical form1 the result of my own experience of upwards of fifty years4 ,i treat only of fishing for trout with the artificial fly1 adding a few observations on dibbing for trout with artificial flies and other baits4 ,i have no other ambition than that of initiating the tyro in the 8gentle0 and elegant art1 with as little trouble and expense to him as may be4 ,if he will do me the honour to become my disciple1 and practise what ,i preach1 ,i confidently promise him as much success as any artificial fly-fisher may reasonably expect4 ,,grey ,,drake4 #ahfj4 ,,contents4 ,,page ,,chapter ,i4--,the tackle--the rod--the reel--the line #e ,,chapter ,,ii4--,artificial flies #f ,,chapter ,,iii4--,throwing the fly #aj ,,chapter ,,iv4--,general directions1 observations1 c4 #aa ,,chapter ,v4--,to make a tail line--to tie on a hook #ag ,,chapter ,,vi4--,bob-flies #ai ,,chapter ,,vii4--,dibbing #bj ,a ,,practical ,,treatise1 ,,etc4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,tackle4 ,i give no directions for making rods1 lines1 or flies4 ,i recommend the purchase of these at the best fishing-tackle shops4 ,as to the supposed advantage to the artificial fly-fisher of being able to make artificial flies by the river-side1 in imitation of the fly actually on the water1 ,i am confidently of opinion1 the acquisition of that art is wholly unnecessary and useless1 as ,i shall more fully explain hereafter4 ,,the ,,rod4 ,the rod can scarcely be too light and pliable4 ,its pliability assists greatly1 not only in throwing the fly1 but in hooking and retaining the fish4 ,the butt end should have a hollow sufficient to hold an extra top-piece1 secured by a brass screw-nut1 which1 when the rod is used1 should be taken out1 and a spike ,illustration screwed into its place4 ,the spike is very useful for sticking the rod upright in the ground1 as occasion may require4 ,some prefer a two-handed rod for large rivers4 ,i think it is unnecessarily fatiguing to use a two-handed rod1 inasmuch as a skilful artist can throw a fly with a single-handed rod as far as is necessary1 and ,i never use any other4 ,the single-handed rod should be about thirteen or fourteen feet long4 ,to prevent the danger of breaking the rod1 by the joints separating in throwing the fly1 the joints should be whipped with strong silk1 as shown in this figure4 ,illustration ,fly rods are sometimes made to attach their joints by screws at the butt ends4 ,whipping rods so made is of course unnecessary1 but ,i do not approve of screw-jointed rods1 as they cannot be made sufficiently light and pliable4 ,,the ,,reel4 ,i prefer the spring cog-check wheel1 which1 when the line is lengthened or shortened1 makes a noise like that caused by winding up a clock4 ,by this reel the line may be lengthened or shortened with sufficient rapidity1 and with precisely1 and no more than the proper resistance1 the checks preventing the line running out too fast4 ,this reel is1 ,i think1 far preferable to the multiplying reel1 which is very liable to get out of order4 ,,the ,,line4 ,i prefer a horsehair line4 ,in length it should be proportioned to the size of the river you fish4 ,for large rivers seventy or eighty yards are not too much2 for narrow rivers thirty or forty yards are sufficient4 ,it should gradually taper towards the end to which the gut or tail line is attached1 so that from four to five yards should be little thicker than the gut itself4 ,the gut1 or tail line1 should be at least three yards long2 thick and strong for rainy and windy weather and discoloured water4 ,it cannot be too fine for bright weather and clear water1 with little wind4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,artificial ,,flies4 ,volumes have been written on this subject1 teaching the manner of making hundreds of different artificial flies1 the materials and paraphernalia requisite for the finished fly-maker1 the particular flies proper for various rivers1 and for each month of the fishing season1 c41 c4 ,all this1 ,i consider1 is perfectly useless1 and ,i am decidedly of opinion1 that when trout are disposed to take the fly1 it matters not what fly is used1 as to shape or colour1 provided it be of the proper size4 ,when trout are not disposed to take the fly1 you may try all the flies in your book1 without success4 ,i have1 by way of experiment1 fished during an entire season with the coachman and governor only1 and have been uniformly successful with those two flies1 even during the ,may fly season1 when the water has been covered with ,may flies1 and the fish taking them greedily4 ,the ,may fly is doubtless a great favourite with trout1 and ,i would not recommend fishing with any other fly during the ,may fly season1 although trout will take them before1 as well as after the season4 ,these flies make their appearance about the end of ,may1 and disappear about the end of ,june4 ,experience has taught me the fallacy of the common notion1 that trout are finished entomologists1 and will reject all flies not actually on the water1 and even all flies in imitation of those actually on the water1 unless the shape and size be exact1 and the colour correct to a shade6 ,the fact is1 that when in the humour to take the fly1 trout will take freely all sorts of insects that come in their way1 from the ,may bug and grasshopper to the black gnat1 and when feeding on insects they are not nice as to the kind1 shape or colour of the insect presented to them4 ,at the commencement of my piscatory career ,i was as fastidious as ,i imagined the fish to be1 and ,i so continued until experience convinced me of my error4 ,i once met with a clergyman fishing1 who cast his fly clumsily4 ,he kept pretty well out of sight of the fish1 but when his fly reached the water a large portion of the line accompanied it1 making a splash1 and frightening away the fish4 ,he had a book full of all sorts of well-made flies1 which he constantly changed1 but got no rises4 ,a labouring countryman was following him at the distance of about a quarter of a mile1 fishing with clumsy tackle1 with which1 by the skilful casting of his fly1 he repeatedly took good-sized fish1 to the great astonishment of the clergyman1 who attributed his own want of success1 not to his want of skill1 but to his not using the right fly4 8,will you permit me10 said he to the countryman1 8to look at your fly80--8,by all means10 said he4 8,i am just about to put on another20 and1 taking out his knife1 he cut off a small piece of his black velveteen jacket1 and stuck it on his hook1 thus making what he called a black hackle6 ,with that rude imitation he had caught all his fish2 thus demonstrating that skill in the use of the artificial fly1 however rudely made1 will succeed1 where the best imitations1 clumsily used1 will fail4 ,although1 by way of experiment1 ,i have fished1 during an entire season1 with coachman and governor only1 ,i would by no means recommend the fly-fisher to restrict himself to those flies2 but ,i am quite sure that the flies comprised in the following list will be found amply sufficient for the whole fishing season1 and for all countries and all rivers3-- ,the ,march ,brown4 ,the ,red ,hackle4 ,the ,governor4 ,the ,black ,hackle4 ,the ,coachman4 ,the ,blue ,dun4 ,the ,green ,drake ,may ,the ,alder ,fly4 ,the ,grey ,drake ,flies4 ,the ,black ,gnat4 ,fill your book with a sufficient quantity of these flies only1 well made1 half large and half small1 and you will have as good a chance of success as a fly-fisher may reasonably expect4 ,the coachman is made with large peacock body1 and white wings1 and derives its name from the fact of its having been invented and first brought into notice by a ,coachman1 a celebrated fly-fisher4 ,it is a very useful fly1 and is taken by trout readily1 in all waters1 and in every part of the season1 although not made to resemble any natural fly4 ,it is preferable ,i think to the white moth for evening fishing4 ,choose your ,may flies with wings made large and standing up1 full bodies and long tails2 and use no flies that are not made on ,limerick hooks1 which double your chance of hooking fish4 ,in all fly-fishing matches with which ,i am acquainted1 and in some of which ,i have been myself engaged1 each competitor has fished with a different kind of fly1 and neither with a fly resembling that actually on the water4 ,the success of each has been1 generally1 nearly equal1 the winner gaining the match by a very few2 attributable 7as ,i believe71 not to the fly he used1 but to his superior skill1 or to fortuitous circumstances1 altogether independent of the particular fly he fished with4 ,i have dwelt upon this subject because ,i wish to guard the tyro against the too common failing of being fidgety as to his flies1 and changing them repeatedly1 fancying 7for it is fancy only7 that he does not get rises because he is not using the right fly4 ,fish with any of the flies ,i have mentioned--small1 with fine gut1 when the weather is bright and the water clear1 with little wind--and larger1 with stouter gut1 when the weather is cloudy1 windy1 or rainy1 and the water discoloured--and you may rest assured you will take as many fish as any competitor of only equal skill1 with a book full of all sorts of flies1 of all shapes and colours2 and even with flies1 admirably made by himself at the river-side1 in imitation of the fly actually on the water4 ,i cannot1 ,i think1 better conclude my observations on artificial flies1 or better satisfy the tyro of their truth1 than by assuring him of the fact that some of the most successful first-rate fly-fishers1 old hands1 never1 throughout the season1 use any other flies than the red1 brown1 and black hackles1 with and without wings1 and the black gnat4 ,i therefore hope that my list of flies will be considered amply sufficient1 as ,i am quite sure experience will prove it to be4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,throwing ,,the ,,fly4 ,fly-fishing demands more skill than any other mode4 ,to throw the fly well is the chief mystery of the art4 ,practice at first with a line only as long again as the rod1 and lengthen it by degrees1 as you find you progress4 ,in drawing the line out of the water1 incline the rod rather to the right1 then describe a sort of half circle round your head by elevating the rod and giving it a motion towards your left4 ,the moment the line thrown reaches its whole length1 the fly should touch the water1 else it will be checked1 and recoil1 falling heavily1 and making a splash1 which must by all means be avoided1 or it will frighten away all the fish in the immediate neighborhood4 ,before you bring the rod forward to deliver the line1 it 7the line7 should be at its full length behind you2 if not1 a splash will most infallibly ensue4 ,as little as possible of the line should touch the water2 to accomplish which1 when you deliver the fly1 the rod should not be depressed too much1 for the nearer it approaches the water1 the more line will fall upon it1 and the greater splash will be the result4 ,as soon as the fly touches the water1 draw it gently backwards1 communicating to it an irregular motion by means of a tremulous movement of the wrist1 causing it to imitate the movements of a fly accidentally cast on the water1 and struggling to prevent drowning4 ,this1 especially if there be but little ripple1 greatly increases your chance of a rise4 ,in bringing back the fly after having thrown it out1 let it not approach too near to you before you raise it from the stream for another cast2 otherwise1 with a long line1 you will find yourself so embarrassed as not to be able to give the line a sufficient swing back round your head to throw it with precision the next time4 ,excellence in throwing the fly consists in causing it to fall lightly1 and over any spot you may desire4 ,this can only be accomplished by practice1 for with all the knowledge theory can instil1 it requires practice before you can throw the fly either to the exact spot you intend1 or so that the sharpest eye cannot detect where it fell when there is a moderate ripple curling the surface of the water4 ,i have been diffuse in my directions for throwing the fly because it is the chief mystery in the art of fly-fishing1 and difficult to be acquired in perfection4 ,i strongly recommend the tyro to take a few lessons in throwing the fly from some experienced and skilful 8,brother of the ,angle40 ,a few such lessons will be found to be worth volumes of theory4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,general ,,directions1 ,,observations1 ,,etc4 ,the fly-fisher may have acquired perfection in the art of throwing the fly2 he may fish with the finest gut and the smallest and most killing flies2 but unless he keep out of sight of the fish1 he may just as well stay at home--he will take no fish4 ,if a splash in the water1 caused by the clumsy falling of the line1 frighten away the fish1 the sight of the fisherman himself will send them all to their holds1 to a distance of thirty or forty yards from him6 ,trout are very sharp-sighted1 timid and wary2 and whenever they chance to see the fisherman1 no bait whatever will be sufficient to tempt them to take it1 and the utmost skill and dexterity will be thrown away4 ,when you observe a trout rise at a fly1 throw your fly about a foot above where you judge his head to lie1 and a little to the left or right of him4 ,if he does not rise at your first cast1 throw again three or four times4 ,he will not take your fly unless it be presented to him temptingly1 and near to him4 ,he will not quit his post for your fly if it be out of his feeding circuit2 and a few casts may bring it into that desirable locality4 ,trout always lie with their heads looking up the stream1 watching for what it may bring them2 and when they are taking the fly readily1 they swim within a few inches of the surface of the water2 but they will not go out of their feeding circuit to take any fly4 ,the very instant you perceive a trout has taken your fly1 strike him at the same instant by slightly elevating the wrist4 ,this should be done with the utmost rapidity1 or the fish will manage to reject the treacherous imitation that has deceived him1 and you will not rise him again for hours afterwards4 ,in fact1 ,i have often seen a good-sized trout that had escaped after having been hooked1 not only afterwards invariably refuse the artificial fly1 but quit his lair and take to his shelter the moment he perceived the tail line fall on the water4 ,when you have hooked a fish1 you must necessarily act as the nature of the place will allow4 ,if embarrassed with bushes1 c41 get him out as quickly as possible4 ,you may chance to lose him in the endeavour1 but if you have not space for playing him1 what is to be done8 ,if you are in a situation to be able to play him1 do so1 keeping him well in hand with your bent rod4 ,never check a trout strongly in his first run1 if avoidable4 ,if he should be approaching anything that would endanger your line1 strive to guide him gradually from it1 by gently inclining your rod in the direction you wish him to take1 always keeping him1 as ,i before observed1 well in hand with your bent rod4 ,never pull directly against him2 for1 if you do1 you will probably cause him to plunge and leap in such a manner as to endanger your tackle1 or tear the hook from its hold in his mouth4 ,trout1 like many reasoning animals1 may be easily guided1 but never compelled1 if of good size and strength1 until1 by playing him1 he has been made too weary and exhausted for further contention4 ,a small fish may of course be landed at once1 but a fish of good size and strength should be played1 if possible1 until he becomes so exhausted by his struggles as to offer a favourable opportunity for introducing him into the landing net4 ,if you have space for playing the fish1 and are unencumbered by bushes1 c41 perseverance1 patience1 address1 and sang froid1 will generally enable you to secure the largest trout4 ,it is difficult to give directions where to find trout in a trout stream4 ,i have found them in every part of the stream4 ,good-sized trout often lurk near the edge under the banks1 especially in narrow streams4 ,i always try there first4 ,they also lie in the currents of the stream watching for their prey4 ,if there be any impediment in the stream1 such as a large stone1 c41 which1 by projecting above or near the surface of the water1 causes an increased rippling1 never miss such a spot1 but throw just above the rippling1 drawing the fly through it4 ,towards evening trout are roaming about more freely in every part of the stream4 ,it is of frequent occurrence to see a trout sailing up and down near the edge of the stream for a determinate distance4 ,he is then in search of food4 ,keep out of sight1 and he will probably take your fly4 ,where trout are moderately plentiful1 fish every yard of water4 ,as a rule1 small and fine is the fly-fisher's maxim4 ,in clear1 bright water it is almost useless to use any thick-bodied fly4 ,the smallest and thinnest-bodied flies are preferable in clear1 bright water1 and the larger in thick water1 or on a windy day4 ,you may successfully use any of the flies ,i have enumerated3 small for clear1 bright water1 and larger for thick water or a blustering day4 ,the weather has an extraordinary effect on fish3 ,i mean on their disposition to feed4 ,in an easterly wind trout will not rise freely2 thunder-storms they abominate2 and very boisterous winds are unfavourable1 let them proceed from what quarter they may4 ,during and after gentle showers1 with not too much wind1 is the time1 par excellence1 for beguiling trout4 ,avoid a very bright day1 unless there is sufficient wind to cause a strong ripple2 but even then few trout will be your reward on a very bright day4 ,a dark day succeeding a light night is never to be missed if you wish to fill your basket1 for trout are almost as timid in a bright moonlight night as during the day4 ,in such nights they will not feed freely4 ,should the next day1 therefore1 prove gloomy1 it will probably repay you for many disappointments4 ,in cold weather1 fish only in the middle of the day3 in hot weather1 morning and evening are to be preferred4 ,the evening is1 ,i think1 better than the morning2 probably because1 as trout abstain in a great measure from feeding during the heat1 they are more eager when they recommence2 and as they generally feed freely during the night1 they are less eager for food in the morning4 ,an hour before the disappearance of twilight1 and1 unless the night be very dark1 an hour afterwards1 will afford the best sport1 and the largest fish4 ,i once met with a singular proof of this4 ,i had been fishing at ,colonel ,hawker's1 ,long ,parish1 ,hants1 and the day being very hot and bright1 and no wind1 ,i had bad sport4 ,the keeper assured me1 that if ,i waited until dark1 and then fished a certain piece of backwater he pointed out1 ,i should take some fine fish4 ,seeing by the movement of this water a fish was upon the feed during the twilight1 ,i cast my fly for him1 but as soon as it reached the water he was off4 ,the keeper told me ,i was too early1 that the fish were large and wary1 that ,i must wait until it was dark4 ,i did so1 and putting on a large grey drake1 in less than an hour ,i took four fine trout1 weighing upwards of three pounds each4 ,although it was conveniently dark1 the fish could see my fly1 but could not see me or the line1 and ,i could perceive a rise by a sort of bright flash in the water4 ,do not allow your shadow to pass over the water if you can avoid it4 ,you will rarely take a trout soon afterwards at the place where your shadow has passed over the water4 ,if you happen to be on the stream on a day when you have little sport1 by all means repair to the same water the next day if you have reason to believe the trout to be moderately plentiful1 and you will probably find them feeding freely4 8,trout affection not long fasts10 as dear old ,isaac would say4 ,skill in fly-fishing is neutralised by anger and impatience4 ,patience and perseverance stand at the head of the angler's cardinal virtues4 ,with good tackle and proper-sized flies1 moderate skill1 and a favourable day1 the tyro will astonish the natives of the stream if he keeps out of their sight2 and if a little experience be added to the above1 he may perchance astonish himself4 ,however fine the weather1 wear long boots1 as nearly waterproof as may be4 ,frequently examine your fly to ascertain if it be in good order4 ,i have often hooked a good trout1 which soon got away1 and1 upon examination of my fly1 ,i found the barb of the hook gone4 ,take care that you do not1 by a too sudden jerk1 when bringing the fly forward for a fresh cast1 snap it off4 ,this often happens to the tyro1 and sometimes to old hands4 ,a slight1 sharp1 snapping noise of the line1 in bringing it forward for a cast1 is a sure symptom of the loss of the fly4 ,never fish without carrying a landing net with you1 or having it carried for you4 ,the largest fish are frequently lost for want of a landing net1 especially when you fish with small flies4 ,if possible1 the fish should never see the landing net1 nor the person who uses it4 ,never allow the landing net to be poked at a fish2 and never touch the line1 nor allow it to be touched1 whilst you have a good-sized fish at the end of it4 ,carry with you1 when fishing1 a disengaging instrument1 which you may screw to the butt end of the handle of your landing net1 when required4 ,the instrument is very useful for disengaging your fly and line from weeds1 bushes1 c4 ,it is sold in most of the fishing-tackle shops1 and is in the form below4 ,the edge b is made sufficiently sharp to cut away weeds1 bushes1 c4 ,illustration ,always carry with you a piece of ,india rubber4 ,draw the tail line through it before you use the line1 in order to straighten it and prove its strength2 and if there are any faults in it1 the ,india rubber will find them out1 which is far better than making the discovery by losing a good fish from the too easy breaking of your untried tail line4 ,gut is apt to snap if very dry1 and ,i recommend immersing it in water for ten or fifteen minutes before using it4 ,the best method of preserving gut that ,i know of is to keep it in parchment1 slightly steeped in best salad oil4 ,always carry with you some strong silk and strong thread1 and a piece of shoemaker's wax4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,to ,,make ,a ,,tail ,,line4 ,in joining pieces of gut together to make a tail line1 ,i think the following joining knot1 called the 8sheet bend10 is the best1 as the knot is the smallest and neatest that can be made1 and the more the line is stretched1 the tighter the knot becomes4 ,make a loop with the left-hand end of the gut to be joined1 7a b figure below71 and hold it between the finger and thumb of the left hand4 ,then pass the end of the right hand gut to be joined through the loop and under it2 then round and under the two legs of the loop2 then over the b leg of the loop2 then under itself and out over the a leg of the loop1 as shown in the figure below4 7,see another mode of joining pieces of gut for tail lines in the observations on bob-flies1 page #bj47 ,illustration ,although1 perhaps1 scarcely necessary1 ,i may state that the hair line has a joining loop at the small end of it2 the tail line a similar loop at each end1 and the fly a similar loop at the other end of the gut to which it is attached4 ,to attach the hair line to the tail line1 insert the loop of the hair line1 then bring the other end of the tail line through the loop of the hair line1 and continue drawing it through that loop until both loops meet and interlace each other4 ,the fly is attached to the tail line by interlacing the loops in the same way4 ,by reversing the operation1 the lines and fly may be readily detached and separated4 ,,to ,,tie ,,on ,a ,,hook4 ,take a sufficiency of strong silk1 well waxed with shoemaker's wax4 ,flatten the gut to which you intend to fasten the hook2 that is1 about as much of it as1 when the gut is placed on the hook1 will reach half way down the shank4 ,this may be done with the teeth or a pair of pliers1 and is designed to prevent the gut from all chance of slipping4 ,never omit this4 ,lay the gut on the inside of the hook1 and hold it between the thumb and finger of the left hand4 ,begin by wrapping the silk twice round the bare hook close to the end of the shank1 then pass the silk over both gut and hook1 winding it tightly on till you come near the bend2 then fasten as follows3--,when you come to within three turns of the distance to which you mean the silk to extend1 lay the silk along the hook at b 7figure below71 leaving the end hanging down1 take hold of the part of the silk a1 and continue to wind it on in the same way1 but making it pass over the silk at b1 as well as over the gut and hook for three turns4 ,then take hold of the end of silk c1 and pull all tight2 cut off the end of silk c1 and it is done4 ,this is called the 8invisible tie10 and is the neatest ,i know1 and the most secure4 ,illustration ,if you break a part of your rod1 and have to splice it1 fasten the splicing by the invisible tie4 ,the splicing should be done with strong silk1 well waxed with shoemaker's wax4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,bob-,,flies4 ,i never fish with more than one fly4 ,some fishermen use two1 and even three1 in addition to the end fly or stretcher4 ,those additional flies are called bob-flies4 ,my opinion is1 that one fly is sufficient1 and that more are inconvenient1 more difficult to manage1 and cause a greater disturbance of the water1 without any countervailing advantage4 ,with bob-flies you may sometimes hook two fish at once1 but they are generally very small under such circumstances4 ,the luck of hooking two good fish at the same time rarely happens2 and if it should happen1 you would probably lose one or both of them1 and some of your tackle into the bargain4 ,still1 if you prefer fishing with two or more flies1 the first bob-fly should be about three feet from the stretcher1 and the second about five feet4 ,more than two bob-flies ,i consider ridiculous1 as well as prejudicial4 ,the bob-fly may be attached1 either by bending the tail line into a loop1 thus ,illustration and putting on the bob-fly through the loop as you would put on the stretcher2 or the tail line may be separated at the point where the bob-fly is to be attached1 and the two ends of the gut1 at the separation1 may be placed one over the other1 thus ,illustration4 ,then tie a common knot at each end1 thus ,illustration4 ,then take the bob-fly1 with about four inches of gut attached1 and tie a common knot at the end of the gut4 ,then insert the bob-fly between the two ends of the gut and its knots4 ,then pull the two knots of the tail line tight together1 and pull the knot of the bob-fly to meet those two knots1 and the operation is finished1 and the tail line and bob-fly assume the following appearance3-- ,illustration ,illustration ,i consider this is the better plan of attaching a bob-fly1 as it stands out better from the tail line1 and is less likely to be entangled by it1 and the knots of the tail line may be separated1 and the bob-fly taken out4 ,but1 as ,i before observed1 ,i do not recommend bob-flies4 ,those who like them may use them4 ,mrs4 ,glasse1 after giving her admirable recipe for making a plum-pudding1 adds1 8those who like it may add an anchovy40 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,dibbing4 ,dibbing is another mode of fly-fishing1 or rather of fishing on the surface2 for other baits1 besides the fly1 may be used4 ,it is more especially applicable to narrow streams that are embarrassed with trees and bushes1 and is a most killing method4 ,in my fishing excursions1 ,i always take with me a stiff little pocket-rod1 of four pieces1 each about two feet and a half in length1 with a small reel attached1 and about twenty yards of strong silk line1 so that ,i may have a fair chance of successful sport1 when ,i happen to be fishing on a stream where trees and bushes prevent my throwing the artificial fly1 and where the large trout take refuge for the purpose of concealment1 and the generally better supply of flies1 insects1 and other food4 ,your tackle must be very strong1 for the larger trout only are generally taken in this way1 and the trees and bushes give them a good chance1 after being hooked1 of escaping1 by breaking your tackle4 ,in dibbing you can only use one fly4 ,there should not be more than a couple of lengths of gut on the line4 ,the gut must be strong1 and so must that to which the fly is attached4 ,keep a few flies1 tied to thicker gut than you use when throwing the fly4 ,whenever you see a place between trees and bushes where a trout is likely to lie1 drop the fly gently1 communicating to it a dancing movement4 ,the fly must only just touch the surface1 the greatest care being taken that not the smallest morsel of the gut touch the water4 ,this is most essential to success1 for rarely indeed will you rise a trout by dibbing if he sees the least bit of gut in the stream4 ,it very frequently happens that you see a trout lying close to the edge of the stream1 or under the shade of a bush4 ,that fish1 with care1 you may be certain to rise4 ,never place yourself before the fish2 but1 standing behind him1 drop the fly as directed1 two or three inches on one side of his head1 and not immediately before him4 ,if you attempt to drop the fly before him1 he will often see the gut1 and vanish2 whereas1 by dropping it rather on one side1 he is not aware of its approach until it touches the water4 ,thus he has no time to scrutinise too closely1 for he will rise instantly1 lest the fly pass away with the stream4 ,i have heard it asserted by very good fishermen1 that dibbing ought not to be performed with the artificial fly1 the deception being too obvious4 ,i have however caught and seen caught many and fine fish by dibbing with the artificial fly4 ,in dibbing with the artificial fly1 hackles are generally to be preferred4 ,any real fly that may be on the water1 if of sufficient size to place on a hook1 may be used in this mode of angling4 ,the flesh-fly will often kill2 and the ,may bug and grasshopper are excellent baits4 ,these should be thus baited3--,have double hooks1 of various sizes1 tied to a length of good strong gut4 ,this gut must have a loop at one end to attach it to the other gut2 which loop must be formed by tying with silk1 and not by means of a common knot4 ,to bait with this1 insert the end of the loop or noose at the shoulder 7directly at the back of the head7 of the ,may bug1 grasshopper or fly1 and pass it through the body1 bringing it out at the tail4 ,draw the insect along the gut till the shanks of the hooks are buried in his body1 leaving only the points standing out on each side of the shoulders4 ,the hooks should be of such a size as to extend a little beyond the bait4 ,such ,i have found to be the neatest and best way of baiting with ,may bug1 grasshopper1 and flesh-fly1 or other natural fly of sufficient size4 ,the green and grey drakes1 however1 are too tender to be thus baited4 ,a single hook must therefore be passed through the thickest part of the body1 from side to side4 ,the hook should not be very small1 but have some of the shank broken off1 for the shank should be short4 ,the gut for dibbing should not only be thick and strong1 but should be died a palish blue1 which may be thus easily done3--a wineglassful of common gin1 having a teaspoonful of black ink mixed with it1 must be made hot1 and when rather cool1 but by no means cold1 steep the gut in it until it acquires the depth of colour you wish4 ,the longer it remains in the mixture1 the darker it becomes2 but care must be taken that it be not too black4 99 99 99 99 99 ,for information on the subject of fishing trout rivers1 streams1 and lakes in the ,united ,kingdom and ,france1 ,i would refer the reader to the admirable work of ,palmer ,hackle1 ,esq41 entitled 8,hints on ,angling0 7,robinson1 #fi1 ,fleet-street71 and to that of ,r4 ,o',connor1 ,esq41 entitled 8,field ,sports of ,france0 7,john ,murray1 ,albemarle-street74 ,he will there find all the information he can desire1 especially for fishing the numerous and well-stocked trout streams throughout ,france4 ,palmer ,hackle agrees with me in the opinions ,i have expressed on the subject of artificial flies1 and so does a ,french author1 ,mr4 ,guillemarde1 who published a book on fishing in #aheg 7,librairie de ,l4 ,hachette and ,co41 ,rue ,pierre-,sarazzen1 ,no4 #ad1 ,paris74 ,he observes 7page #bjf7 that five or six artificial flies of different sizes and colours are sufficient1 and adds1 8,i know well that artificial fly-makers will not be of that opinion1 and for a very good reason2 but1 independently of my own personal experience1 ,i may refer to that of experienced professors1 disinterested in the matter40 ,very few ,frenchmen are artificial fly-fishers4 ,mr4 ,guillemarde advises his countrymen to emulate the ,english1 whom he compliments as masters in the elegant art1 which1 he says1 they practise almost exclusively4 ,he terms them 8admirable fishermen10 but spoils the compliment by assuring his readers1 8the gentlemen of ,great ,britain fish in white cravats and kid gloves60 ,first-rate fly-fishing may be had in all parts of ,france1 and especially in the department of the ,pas de ,calais1 in which are numerous admirable trout streams well stocked with fish1 and where the sport may be enjoyed without interruption4 ,palmer ,hackle1 in his work1 observes1 8,an angler who loves his art as none but anglers can1 and desires to pursue his cherished recreation undisturbed by the malign influence of game-preservers1 and unembittered by the sneers of money-getting fools1 must visit the ,continent4 ,there he may roam unmolested and uncriticised if his deportment be that of a quiet1 sensible man and a gentleman2 and his sport will be such as to satisfy the most sanguine professor40 ,this1 experience enables me fully to confirm1 and it seems to be borne out by ,mr4 ,guillemarde1 who writes3 8,i speak of artificial fly-fishing1 the most difficult but the most elegant mode of fishing with the line1 and in which the preparation and execution1 and the address of the professor1 are most strikingly displayed and exemplified4 ,artificial fly-fishing is1 at present1 but little appreciated1 or rather but little known1 in ,france4 ,every year amateurs from ,england gather from our streams abundant harvests4 ,it is a spectacle at once curious and humiliating to our national #8amour propre1' to observe the astonishment of most of our river-side inhabitants1 endeavouring in vain to comprehend by what magic art these #8honourable gentlemen1' by flogging the air with their long switches1 manage so easily to fill their baskets4 ,may this little book contribute to popularise in our country those methods which are at present practised by so few1 and which are equally agreeable and successful40 ,,finis4 ,b4 ,d4 ,,cousins1 ,,printer1 ,,helmet ,,court1 ,,strand1 ,,london4