er THE NATURAL TROUT FLY RND ITS IMITATION. BY LEONARD WEST. Being an Angler's Record of Insects seen at the Waterside and the Method of making their Imitations. PUBLISHED RY THE AUTHOR, RAVENHEAD, ST. HELENS. NE\VTON-LE-WlLLOWS '. MCCORQUODALE & Co., LIMITED. FOREWORD. It is with considerable diffidence on the part of the Author that this Book is laid before the general public. The notes and observations contained in it were made for private use only, but owing to the persuasion of a friend, the Author has decided to give them a wider circulation. If the reader obtains useful information from these pages, or finds matter of interest therein, he has to thank J. Unsworth, Esq. (M.B. London), of St. Helens, entirely, for without his persuasion and kind assistance, the Sketches would have remained as entries only, in a private note book. To other friends who have given assistance, I will take this opportunity of tendering hearty thanks; whatever has been required, either in the way of materials, information, or advice, has been freely and ungrudgingly given. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. — CHIEFLY ENTOMOLOGICAL. CHAPTER. SUBJECT. PLATE. PAGE. 1 CRANE-FLIES AND GNATS (Diptera) i 21 2 TWO-WINGED FLIES IN GENERAL (Diptera) 2 27 3 MAY-FLIES, DRAKES, ETC. (Ephemera) ... 3 33 4 DUNS, SPINNERS, ETC. (Ephemera} 4 37 5 STONE FLIES (Perl idee) 5 43 6 SEDGES (Trichoptera) ... 6 49 7 BEETLES, ETC. (Coleoptera) 7 55 8 VARIOUS FLIES, ETC. (Hymenoptera, etc.)... 8 61 9 SPIDERS, ETC. (Araneida) 9 69 10 HACKLE FEATHERS (POULTRY, ETC.) ... 10 75 11 FEATHERS FOR FLIES' WINGS n 81 12 FEATHERS FOR FLIES' WINGS ... ... 12 85 13 FEATHERS FOR FLIES' WINGS 13 89 14 MATERIALS, COLLECTING AND STORING, ETC., AND TOOLS ... ... ... 14 95 15 MAKING AN ARTIFICIAL FLY 15 109 16 MAKING AN ARTIFICIAL FLY ... ... 16 117 17 THE CHOICE OF A FLY ... 123 1 8 WHY Do THE FISH RISE? 131 19 FROM THE FISHES' POINT OF VIEW ... 139 NOTR — Chapters 18 and ig are re-printed from the Fly Fishers1 Club Journal. INDEX. A'Telina labyrinlhica Aider flies Allantus arcuatus ... Ants.., PAGE. 69 ... 13, 62, 64 62 Dragon fly larvre ... Duns Dyes... PAGE. 52 37 J ... 1WJ Early brown 43 Earth beetle ', 56 Elaphrus cupreus ... ... 15, 56 Elytra .... I4 Empire :6, 28 Ephemera ... 9, 10, 33, 37, 39, 133 February red ... 43 Fire tail I4) 63 Flies' wings ... 81 — 91 Flies, night TOC Aphis, tureen Araneide ... Artificial gnats A ret in caja ... Attrartors ... Autumn spinner Bees... ... ::: l\ 17,69 23 ... 70 123 38 Hectics Black ant Black cuss ... Blow flics ... 13 J4. 57 7o 28 — hatch of — • number used Fly attractors — colour of - beetle — deceivers — down- winged ... - drake - freaks — hackle 126, 144 126, 133 123 125 no, 118 123 no, 117 no, 117 124 I IO Blue lace-wing Bodies Bright day ... Bright flies Bron/.e bo: tie Browns Bulging Bustards Cad bait Caddis flies ... CaddU worms Chirouoini'Lc Chrysopides ... Chrysis ignila Chrysis rubii 61 109 142 29 29 45 24, 124 12,49 n u, 51 52 15, 21 IO, 12 '4 M 2A — Palmer — size of — spent gnat — spider - split- winged ... — types of — up- winged I-'onnica rufa Freaks no, in 124 no, 114 110, 118 110, 113 123 no, 112 70 124. . Cinnabar moth Classification of insects Cochy-bondhu Cockchafer i fibre ... 70 8 14,57 14 QO Frog hopper Gallflies Gem's lat'tistris Ghost swift Gnats Golden-eyed gauze wing Grass bug ... Grass moth 17, 64 13 56 12 15, 21, 22 6l 17, 63 CO Colcoptcra ... Condor quill ( j)[>].)er spinner Corncrake and orange Corixa striata Coupling beetle Cowdung fly Crane-flies ... Creepers L'tcn ich nc union Cuckoo spit M 99 •• 34 49 16,56 14, 55 27 15,21 n,43 62 1 7 Gravel spider Green aphis Green beetle Green bottle Green drake Green dun . 21 63 70, 77 28 ^8 Green insect Grouse and green ... Hackles ... 75, 76, Hairy worms Ilalterers Hawthorn fly Hemerobius ... Hemiptera ... ... 16 Hooks Hoverers 28 49 77, 78, 97, ICQ 70 14, 28 61 , 17, 56, 63, 64 IOI, IO2, 125 15, 27 (Jitlicidic I r Dark drake . . ?7 Dark needle Dark olive dun Deceivers Dipt era Di pier on Dolichopodidtf Downlooker 44 3* .. 123 15, 16, 27, 132 27 1 6, 29 28 INDEX— continued. PACK. PACK. Hydronietra 56 S ctv cofiJi (i^a ••• ••• 29 Hylotoma pagana . . • Hymenoptera 02 '13 Scalps 98 ... 98 Sedge bodies 5° Ichneumon • •• »3' J4, 62 Sedge flies 49 Insect classification 8 Serica 55 Insect ravages 1O4 Serica brunnea 14 Jenny spinners 38 Sialidic Silk ... 10, 13, 62 95 Lace-wings ... 12 Silver horn ... 50 Lasins niger 70 Silver tail 16, 28, 29 Leptidie 28 Small birds ... 98 Leptocerida ... 49 Snipe flies ... 16, 28 L ininoph ilus 50 Soldier beetle 14. 55 Lycosa fliiviatilis . . . Speckled crane-fly ... 21 Spiders 17, 69 March brown 37 Stick bait II JVlaterials OC Storage 103 Material box 104 Stone flies ... 10, 43 May bug 55 Sulphur dun 34 May fly 33> 43 Svriphidtc ... 15 Medium dun 38 Metallic flies 16, 29 Tailing 124 98 Tinsel 103, 142 Mosquitoes... ?5 Therei'a 29 Thorax 22, IO9 Nematus green 63 ... 15, 21, 132 Nematus luridtis ... Nematus niger Neuration ... 14, 62 14, 62 9 Tortoiseshell catterpillar Transportation of flies Tri chapter a 9, 70 52 ii, 49, 51, 134 Neuroptera ... Notonecta glauca . . . 9 16, 56 Turkey brown Two-winged flies ... 34 27 Oak flies 16,28 Tying silks ... 100 Old birds Olive dun ... 97 22 Vapourer caterpillar Veil a currens 70 56 Olive gnat 37 Orange-tailed spinner 38 Wasps 13 Oxycera trilineata ... 63 W7asp- wasted flies ... 13 Water beetles 15 Pachymerus calcitrator 62 Water boatmen 16, 56 Pale evening dun ... 38 WTater crickets 17 Pale olive dun 38 Water measurers . 16 Perla Maxima i: Waxing silk ICO Perlida: 9, 11, 43, 45, 133 wdsh blue-bottle ... 29 _o Phrvganea grandis.. . Whirling blue dun .. J2 Willow fly 38 44, 45 Poultry hackles Prismatic effect 98 Wing cases ... ...37, 140, 142 W7ing feathers ... 81,97,99 Winter enats 15 Quill Quill bodies 90, 99 141, 142 Wolf spider Wood flies 69 • •• 15. 29, 133 Raffia grass... 96, 99 Wool 97 Red ant 70 Wrentail 17 Red fly 62 Red spinner Ruby-tailed wasp ... T-, Yellow crane-fly ... 14 Yellow drake Yellow lace-wing ... 21 33 61 Sailor beetle 15, 55 Yellow Sally 11, 43, 45, 134 Sand waso .. 14 Yellow spinner 37 Introduction. TO almost every fly fisher sooner or later there comes a desire for more knowledge of the various insects seen at the waterside and used in his craft, and also a wish for some definite idea as to their classification and life history. Should the reader not be possessed by this desire, we strongly recommend him to miss this chapter, which is an attempt to convex- a broad idea of the general classification of insects with as few technicalities, and in as simple language as possible; but withal in such a form as to be acceptable to fellow anglers, and so that even the least initiated will be enabled to distinguish an Kphcmeron from a Stone-fly or a Caddis-fly, and so on. The expert entomologist may scorn the feeble attempt ; this, however, is not written for his edifica- tion, but for the humble followers of the immortal Walton who prefer wading in a pellucid stream to the intricacies of an entomology. It is not necessary that the angler should know every species by name, to do so would entail the work of a lifetime, as the species are numbered by thousands, and many of the differences which determine the species are so small as to be negligible from the angler's point of view. It is, however, both useful and interesting to have a broad idea of the general classification of the insect world, and such knowledge will give added enjoyment to many an hour when angling interest flags. From the purely sporting point of view, the angler with a knowledge of entomology, possesses a great advantage, and is able readily to select a suitable fly ; whereas, one without this knowledge is liable to fall into mistakes which appear grotesque to the initiated. INTRODUCTION. The insect world is divided into ten orders or general divisions, which are again sub-divided into sub-orders, families, and species, as follows : — Order. Sub-Orders. Families. 1. Aptera 2 7 Louse. 2. OrtJioptera 2 10 Earwigs, Cockroaches, Grasshoppers, etc. Neuroptera 5 10 Hymenoptera 4 24 Coleoptera 7 86 6. Lepidoptera 3 53 7. Dipt era 6 43 Aphaniptera 2 — 8. Types. Silver Fish or Sugar Nerve-winged Insects. Ants, Bees, Wasps, etc. Beetles. Moths and Butterflies. Two-winged Flies. 2 — Fleas. 9. Thysanoptera — Thrips. 10. Hemiptera 4 (6 series) 35 Scale insects, " Bugs," Water Measurers, Water Boatmen, Greenflies. Looking down this formidable list one is relieved to find that without more ado it may be reduced from ten to five, if we retain only those orders for which we have an immediate use, as follows : — 1. Neuroptera. Nerve-winged Insects, Plates 3, 4, 5, 6. 2. Hymenoptera. Wasp-waisted Flies, Plate 8. 3. Coleoptera. Beetles, Plate 7. 4. Diptera. Two-winged Flies, Plates i, 2. 5. Hemiptera. Water Measurers, Boatmen, &c., Plates 7, 8. Illustrations will be found in the following pages which will, we hope, make the characteristics of each class clear to the observant reader. INTRODUCTION. 9 I. The Neuroptcra, or nerve-winged flies, have two pairs of wings, both pairs membraneous with extensive neuration ; certain Ephemera ^ which have only one pair, make an exception to this rule ; the imago has a biting mouth. By neuration is meant the system of nerves which con- stitute the framework that supports the membrane of the wings. The imago is the final stage of development of any insect. Selecting again only those families of the Nciiroptcra of interest to anglers, we have the following : — Ephcmeridic ... ... May Flies, Duns, etc. PcrlidiC ... ... ... Stone Flies or Needle Mies. Triehoptera or Phryganidic Caddis Flies. Chrysopidce ... ... Lace Win Sialidce ... ... ... Alder Flies. The Ephemera are delicate insects with atrophied mouths and small short antennae, or feelers : usually having four membraneous wings, having much minute cross veining, the hinder pair much smaller than the other pair and sometimes entirely absent: the body terminating in three or two elongate slender tails. The Perlidce are insects of moderate or large size, with four membraneous wings complexly reticulate, the hind pair much the larger and of more simple neuration ; the legs are widely separated. Triehoptera, or Phryganaridce^ as they are variously called, form a connecting link between flies and moths, and have always rather puzzled entomologists ; their wings are more or less clothed with hair, the nervures divide at very acute angles with very few transverse nervules, hind wings larger than the front ones ; antennae and legs often long, though not so in all species ; mandibles, or lower jaws, absent or rudimentary ; larvae, caterpillar-like, usually inhabiting cases of their own construction. io INTRODUCTION. Chrysopides, the lace-wing flies, fragile insects, with four beautiful gauzy wings, which fold over their backs roofwise, are remarkable for their brilliant gold or ruby coloured eyes, which possess a remarkable brilliance ; and, lastly, the Sialidcz, of which there is only one British species that has two pairs of dusky wings, the hind pair slightly smaller, and both heavily veined. The Ephemera (plates 3 and 4), of which there are over forty species, form one of the most important classes to anglers. From early Spring to late Autumn they are seen in swarms about the water with a curious up and down flight, winging their way before the wind or quietly floating down the stream with wings upright. They have an infinite variety of size and colour ; some species have well-marked cloudy wings easy of imitation, others have wings which vie with the rainbow in colour and prismatic beauty, of which no entirely satisfactory imitation can be produced. The Ep kerne* a are aquatic insects — the eggs are laid in the water and the larvae live and grow there. Coming to the surface, the larva shakes off its sheath and emerges as a sub-imago, this later, casts a second sheath and becomes a spinner or imago, and it is in this last stage that it baffles the imitator's skill. Some Ephemera have a larval period of 1 2 months and others three years, hence, the pollution of a stream only once in every three years may be the cause of the disappearance of the large drakes from so many of our streams. The Stone Flies or Perlida^ of which 40 species are indigenous to this country, are also of interest, to Anglers— especially on the upper waters of our streams, whose stony beds are the habitat of their larvse. Like the Ephemera, they begin to show in March or even earlier and are with us to the end of the season. Their larvae prey on other insects, especially the larvae of the smaller Ephemera. Their eggs are dropped on the water and hatch INTRODUCTION. 11 into creepers, the following year developing into flies. The creepers are curious little creatures with big heads and eyes, powerful looking legs, and long tails— the largest being Per/a maxima (Fig. 50, plate 5)— and the creeper of this fly is often used up stream much the same as a worm. In the North of England, fly fishing is of little use for a \\eek or two at least, after a good hatch of this insect, so greedily do the fish take it. It has often been stated that the Yellow Sally (Pcrla Yiri'Ussima. is a bitter fly and fish do not care for it. This is a great mistake: what the fish do not like is the wretched imitations which are offered in place of this very beautiful fly — a really bright imitation with good light- yellow glass}' wings is taken freely under suitable conditions. The smaller perlidir are all remarkable for the curious way in which they roll up their wings until the insect looks more like a thin bit of stick than a fly: however, all are worth imitating, and are great favourites with trout and grayling alike. Trichoptcra. — We next come to the Caddis flu- present considered as a sub-order or family of the Xcuroptcra, though each succeeding generation of Entomologists seems to delight in moving them to another place. The}' arc divided into seven families, and 250 species. These again are aquatic insects. The eggs are laid in the water in the form of a gelatinous globule, whence the larv;e emerge, and at once make themselves a covering of tubular form of either reeds, weeds, stones, shells, or other handy material which they cement together. Some varieties retain free movement, others cement their dwellings on to stones and stay there until hatching time comes. The larvae of the larger varieties are very voracious and do not hesitate to attack small fish, which they grip from below with their powerful front claws, never letting go if once they get a fair hold. The larva is known as a stick bait or cad bait, and is much used in some 12 INTRODUCTION. districts. Phryganea Grandis is the largest species. It is the bustard of the North Country, and is often found running round the collar when one is on angling bent, especially at dusk. Possibly the white attracts its attention. As the hay ripens numerous white and yellow moths may be seen during the summer evenings hovering over the flowers and flying with considerable speed from plant to plant. These are the "Ghost Swift " moths (Hepialis humuli) of which the white is the male and the yellow the female, and have nothing whatever in common with the " bustards " of the angler, although they are frequently erroneously called by that name ; no doubt owing to the fact that they are strongly in evidence during the height of the bustard season, and the ill-informed taking them as such, ties an imitation which is passed off as a bustard. They never go near the water except by accident, whereas the real bustards are born and bred in the water, lay their eggs there, and are a continual temptation to the lusty trout by reason of the way they skate upon, or hover over its surface. The position of the wings when at rest is roofwise over the body and they are covered with curious downy hairs, which under the microscope look like small spear heads and from which the tribe derive their name. They are easy flies to imitate, and well worth using when the naturals are about. The Chrysopidce or Lacewings (see plate 8, figs. 75, 76, 77) number 1 5 species — three of them are frequently seen on and about the water, namely : the Green one (Hemerobius Alba) ; the Blue one (//. Nervosus] ; and the Yellow one (//. Hirtus) ; and all are taken eagerly by the fish. The Blue one at times is seen dancing over the water in hundreds and might be mis- taken for a small caddis fly ; but its clear, rather prismatic wings and different nervuration quickly reveals its identity. The eggs of this fly are laid on bushes, each egg being carried on a hair-like support attached to a leaf of the bush. The larger species in spite of their ample and resplendent wings have a curiously feeble flight. INTRODUCTION. 13 The power of insects on the wing depends more on the size of the thorax than either the size, form, or number of their wings ; in other words, a monoplane is quite as good as a biplane with sufficient engine power behind it. Of the Sialula or Alder flies (plate 8, fig. 80), we have only one example — Sialis /utirria—so common even-where, sitting on fences or flying over the water. The eggs of this fly are laid in patches on the leaves of marginal plants — one patch at times containing over ipooeggs — and as they hatch, the lame make their way down into the water, whence they emerge the following year, and hatch on the surface into the well-known fly. II. Hymctwptcra (plate 8, figs. ;8, 79, 8 1-86, and plate 9, figs. 96, 97) possess four wings, membraneous without scales, never very large, the hind pair smaller than the front ; nervures irregular in size and form ; mandibles conspicuous. The females are furnished with a saw, sting, or ovipositor at the extreme end of the body, which may be withdrawn into the body or be permanently protruded. Hymenoptera are a very large class, including as they d<>, many insects of such widely different habits. They are popularly known as wasp-waisted flies, such being an easily recognised characteristic. The ants, bees, wasps, ichneumon, and gall flies, of which we use some few, and the saw flies are included in this order. The hymenoptera are looked upon by Entomologists as the most interesting and intelligent species found in the insect world, containing as they do the bulk of those which have communal existence and live in colonies, where laws exist and the strictest discipline is maintained. Many of the species are beautiful alike in form and colour. Very few of them are aquatic insects, but man)' get on the water accidentally. This is possibly one reason why at times they are so attractive, as once on the water they buzz and make a great fuss instead of quietly going ashore. If asked which is our most beautiful fly, one would be puzzled to answer, but I4 INTRODUCTION. an exceedingly handsome fly is the Ruby-tailed Wasp, or Fire- tail (Chrysis Ignita\ plate 8, fig. 85, and there is a similar fly (C. rubii) about half the size. One often wonders at fly tiers making " fancy " flies, when there are in nature such magnificent examples to be copied. These two flies are said to be enemies of the common wasp, preying on their larvae ; laying their own eggs in the comb of the wasp ; their larvae eating the wasp grubs. Plate 8, figs. 78, 79, shew neinatus niger and nematus lucidus, two very common flies, the former much in evidence in the spring time, and the latter practically all the season. Early writers on fishing flies all give the hawthorn fly (Bibio marct) Plate 2, fig. 20, as one of importance, but we think neinatus niger is much more widely distributed, and abundant at the waterside ; we believe it is at times mistaken for and erroneously called the hawthorn fly. Plate 8, Fig. 84, the small Sand Wasp (Allantus arcuatus) is always found when the cochy-bondhu is moving, and frequently side by side on the same hemlock or other flower. The Ichneumon flies have no special mission to perform about the water, but are frequently to be seen floating "spent" on the surface ; plate 8, fig. 83, &c. III. The Coleoptera^ or beetles; insects of this order are readily distinguished by means of their horny wing cases or elytra in combination with their strong antennae and heavy legs. On plate 5 are shown five of the most useful ; the first is a fairly common brown beetle (Serica Brunnea), useful for dibbing with, and taken by large trout and chub with avidity. At first glance it is recognized as a small Cockchafer. Plate 7, fig. 67, is the small cowdung beetle (Ophodius Fcetens], which is taken with avidity at all times by trout. No. 68 is the "Soldier Beetle" (Telephone lividus). The soldier is found in hundreds on hemlock and similar flowers, flying about and dropping on the water in the sunshine. It INTRODUCTION. 15 is a beautiful orange colour, though there is another and larger beetle, which has a dark body instead of an orange one, and the elytra (wing cases) are rather more dingy in colour. The Sailor Beetle (Telephoms msticiis) is a similar insect, but has blue elytra and legs. The fifth beetle illustrated (No. /o) is a very common one (Rlaphrus c up re us) } with dark metallic blue and greenish elytra, often found under stones, etc., by the water side, from which it is washed out whenever the water rises, and becomes a prey to the trout, which take it greedily. There are many other varieties which are locally abundant, and if seen on the water, no doubt will repay the trouble of imitating. Our object, however, is not to multiply patterns, but to choose only the most useful and typical. The water beetles are often taken by trout, but No. 5 is fairly like several of the common varieties. IV7. Diptcra, as the name suggests, are the flies with two wings only, membraneous usually, transparent, and never very large; behind the wings a pair of .small erect capitate bodies— halterers-or balancers as they are sometimes called. The mouth parts are formed for sucking, and sometimes take the form of a proboscis, which can be retracted at will. The usual larval form is a small grub or maggot without feet. Those which most interest us are the Tipulidce or Crane- flies (plate I, figs, i — 5), the}- are all useful to anglers, but in their larval stages, a scourge to farmers, doing great damage to the roots of their crops. The winter gnats (Limnobina) also belong to this family. Examples of the mosquitoes (Culicidcs)^ of which we have about ten varieties, and the gnats (Chironomid&)i of which two hundred species are indigenous to this country, are shown on plate I, figs. 6 — 10. Included in the diptcra are the Syriphida or hoverers, of brilliant yellow and black, which possess such marvellous powers of flight ; the woodflies (Sarcophagidcv) ; the blowflies 16 INTRODUCTION. (Bibionida) ; the oakflies (Leptidce), dear to the angler more from early association than actual use ; the Empidce or snipe flies, which prey on other insects ; their head and mandibles resemble that of a woodcock, and of necessity to catch their prey, they are exceedingly quick of flight. In all, we have over four thousand varieties of diptcra, indigenous to this country, plates I and 2 showing a few typical varieties. There are also two now mentioned for the first time, which are favourites, and yet new to the angling world at large ; one is the silver tail (Theriva Nobilata], plate 2, fig. 21, and the other, fig. 27, of the metallic flies or Dolichopodidcz, which are exceedingly common at the waterside, and quite worth imitating. V. Hemiptera. — Many of these are purely aquatic, including the water boatmen, which are, no doubt, familiar to most anglers. These are fierce insects, which attack other insects, tadpoles, and small fry. They have a powerful beak which renders their attacks very formidable, and swim with a curious jerky motion, coming to the surface occasionally to take in air. They are good fliers and on the wing look rather like a bee. The largest is Notonecta Glanca. The elytra fold up over the body compactly " roofvvise " (plate 7, fig- 72). The smaller boatmen are known as Corixa Striata (plate 7, fig. 71), and the wing cases lie flat along the back when folded. They are similar in habit to the former. It is curious to see a swarm of them sporting on a. sunny afternoon. At first glance it looks as though a good rise of blue duns was going on, but closer observation will show that after a short flight thev drop into the water again, and swim away amongst the water weed. Woe betide them should the trout observe their little game, which then has a tragic ending ! The Water Measurers (plate 7, figs. 73 — 74) also belong to this class INTRODUCTION. 17 (Hydrometra Stagnoruin ; Gem's Lacnstris). They are known to anglers as " water crickets," and are to be found at the margin of almost all waters. In the early season they are taken very readily by the fish before more luscious morsels are abundant. They are insectivorous, and at once attack and crowd round any small insect which alights on the water near them. There are also illustrated, two other Henriptcra, the Frog- hopper or Cuckoo Spit (Aphrophora Alni], plate 8, fig. <;i, which is the " Wrentail," of Ronalds ; in the summer it hides in a frothy mass on the stems of grass and plants, and in the autumn, where these are near the water, this insect sometimes jumps on to the surface by thousands. Another of the llcjiriptem is the common grass bug (plate 8, fig. 88); it is singular]}- like the water measurers in general form, but is found on the grass in the pastures, and along the margins in countless numbers, and on a windy day is often blown on to the water in thousands: there is also a green one, similar in form, but slightly smaller than the one illustrated. We will close these brief notes with a short one on the Spiders ' Artinei t-i h/1 ° o> , > X S « ~ 0 •>-> 1 I C •- C * u XI M W s ~ I! 1 ^ 0 § 1 S 1 1 M OJ 1-. — - 11 % - ^ H < O •^ c 0 — M .2 i- E ,§»*•§ =S 1 < a- H "o 'c 5 hr a> hn O .is .S - s s s z : : r fa fa ffi ffl -3 3 ^-H ^- ^ — 1 Q &3 &}bJ03 VH | g. >^ ^ ^ c ^ § S i jnuj ^ p< U Q « 8 -S 1 1 I £ ° 5 Q o £ Jg o 1 H § « * o r^ i-^ -^ ^ 00^3 CJ C it 3 ^ ^ ^ 3 -* f,^ d * 1.8 g.8 |.8|8 in w rJi & ^ S S 8 .c 8 j >< p< Q fa PC o pq THORAX. _C **" 1j g .0 cl 1 1 1 2 ° ^ s S pq pq pq Q 1 « ,| § 1 J 1 H i -I ll j >• o 5 • o c 1 S c ! 1 ^'1 S^ w) So ^ ^ ^ ^ s c CJ ^j QJ ^j . r^H rr-J J^» t * u V. O ^ JS'S. J: *M ^ '^ ^ •-» 8 ^ G t ? >, v ^ J c a | ^ J-o ^J ^ J ^ ,0 ^ -^ 0 £l ? J £ 0 U CH PH > U PQ U C ) ro O c/i ii x Q rt O ^ .F^ c -c 0 ) ^ g 8 la PQ C pq 3J . ^ >2 > ^ rt ^ e "rt s c w ^ ^ tx ^ cj ^C c -^ ^Vi ^ 3 tX s y fcX, g -S « "5 — '^ " ^f C £ "-\VI\<;KD FI.IKS— DIPTERA, _ Q w < < Ct, ^, Q G 1» c II < d; T3 * > c ~ 'o d£ S IS'"3 2 "o « O O S O •gl l'l s •c H S PL, pq 3 •43 cr W C^! PQ & 0 -g § -=s- 0 2 Q Q 5 2 !• I 3 O s ^ O o ^ "C as Q Q f S X I a * 8 £ v S G w 6 Sill 1 111 1 K C/) 0! CQ O G »3 S3 £ ^ -^ ti CO 38 W »-i Ol ec »-H c^ rc ^ o ^ i-- S^ ;>T (M (M J '9"lf> t t I u w. DEU.AD NA CHAPTER II. T\V()-\VINGED FLIES— DIPTERA. PLATE 2. As the season advances the insect world gets busier and busier, and the angler and naturalist, who, at first, have been looking1 with impatience for the early arrivals, in a very few weeks have to admit that they are completely overwhelmed by the number and variety of insects which are continually coming under their notice. On this plate we have endeavoured to select a representative collection of the common two- winged (lies (diptcrci), most, if not all of which are familiar to anglers. No. 1 1 is the cowdung ily, useful on a windy day, especially during the early part of the season ; there are several varieties, varying in colour very much from yellow to brown, green, or orange, and they are often on the water in great numbers. Nos. 12, 13, 23 are hoverers (syriphidce), a beautiful class of fly, in a great variety of black, yellow, and orange ; their bodies glitter like gold, particularly on the under surface, and smartness should be the keynote of their imitations. No. 14 is a small black dipteron which shines like silver, and its imitation, is a distinctly successful lure. 28 TWO-WINGED FLIES— DIPTERA. No. 15 is one of the 4i black cusses" (hilaria\ which fly over the surface of the water in clouds in May, June, and July. The small green insect, fig. 16 (pachygaste* politct], is first rate on a bright day, and is a sure friend under difficult fine conditions. The large green bottle, fig. 17, also does well at times, particularly under bushes. No. 1 8 is the oak fly or down looker (leptis scolopaced], exceedingly plentiful everywhere in some years, and again, other seasons it is almost absent ; April is about its season. Fig. 22 is the small oak fly (leptis lineola) ; it is a very smart little insect, and comes on later in the season than the larger variety, and we have found it more successful as a pattern for imitation. It has reddish legs with dark joints, well suggested by a coch-y-bondu hackle. No. 19 is plentiful at the same time as the oak fly. It is one of the snipe flies (empidce), easily distinguish- able by the extraordinary likeness to a snipe which its head and mouth present when viewed sideways. In almost all books on fly fishing the hawthorn fly (bibio marci) is mentioned as a very excellent one to use ; it is in evidence when the hawthorn trees are in bloom, and as it is a very old acquaintance we give a sketch of it in fig. 20. The next (fig. 21) is an especial favourite, and quite a successful imitation. It is the silver tail, and is on when the " black cusses" are a nuisance, and in TWO-WINGED VLIES—DIPTERA. 29 certain lights its abdomen is black and white, a slight movement, however, and it appears of a brilliant metallic silvery lustre. I believe entomologists delight to call it Tkereva nob Hat a. The grey wood tly (fig. 24) is probably known to all (sarcophaga carnaria). It is useful alive to dip with, and dead as a pattern to copy ; it (loats well, and is quite worth imitation in various sizes. The diptcron shewn in fig. 25 is very common among the rushes. \Ve have frequently seen it taken, and have, also had some success with its imitations. Fig. 26 is a very beautiful bron/e bottle, and a rival to the. green insect, to which it makes a usHul variety, but it is seldom seen except in bright weather, when at times it is abundant. Fig. 27 is also a tly delighting in sunshine, and its imitations are most successful in bright weather — it is on<; of the dolichopoda or metallic llies. Fig. 28 is the big Welsh blue bottle (cynomya mortuorum), useful at times, but too big for general use. Some, of the llies in this plate are found Hying and sporting about the water intent on their business, others, when a moderate wind is blowing, are landed there by no wish of their own, and as a consequence the artificials are most frequently taken under these conditions. However, the bright coloured ones we have frequently found highly successful under calm conditions with bright sunshine. The silver tail, the green insect, the metallic fly, and a hoverer have all met with marked success under these conditions. MAY FLIES. &c. EPHEMERA, O C E 3 3 £ 3 8 5 s u fc lil III I Hi P ft, W u H w 2 H '§ c g c c - 31 1 " S| S| Jj £ o o o £ o J c/r IB ! 1 * 3 ^ .2 "c c 'S -^ '? S 2 S 2 : ^ » ja « ^ 2 T: 2 S «J3 _S C I ! t • 1* f M « ^ « o^ . c ri - 0 % ^^^^ *§ ^ §^-2 ^ >H W U M 3 J5 „ . w> 2 '3 '"I c i H ^ £ < i ^4 ° ^ rX C3 '" 3 ^r2 3 U) "° rf ^i:^;^ ^^J -c x 'O ^S^^'O 5^ =» v Q 1 Q* ^ H £ ; Q THORAX. 1 ^ , c - | ' jjj (^ c/5 5 a o v g ti 'S W> 'Z ^^4 U I 'i 1 1 £^ £ £ 3 £ = [»^ 3 £ I 1 1 ' . a : '•$. c I "8 I CM P^ | M S •^ c ^ U G || &g j J O S I*- H co M 1|.| » JD i 3 'LATE 3 1 j t _ I * L.W. DEL. A>O NAT. CHAPTER III. MAY FLIES, &c. -EPHEMERA. PL ATI-: 3. The Green Drake (fig. 29) is so well known to anglers that it requires little attention here. It is remarkable, for its long sub-aquatic larval existence— usually stated as three years, and then a life of pro- verbial shortness in its perfect state, and such a life at that, hunted by fish until it Hies away, then pursued by chaffinches, tly catchers, swallows, and a do/en other members of the feathered tribe. What with the pollution of our rivers, and its multitude of natural enemies, this tly is, we fear, doomed to extinction. Good floating imitations of the species have probably accounted for some of the largest trout which have been taken with the artificial fly. The Dark Drake (fig. 30) is not considered as generally successful a lure as the Green Drake, though it has it advocates, and on a dull windy day we prefer it to its brighter companion. The Yellow Drake (fig. 31) is a beautiful insect, we have seen it rising in numbers on the Tanat and Vyrnwy in the late summer and autumn, and it is taken greedily by both trout and grayling. 33 34 MAY FLIES, £c.— EPHEMERA. Fig. 32 is the Turkey Brown, and is used with success in the North of England ; it is a very elegant insect, and abundant about the end of April. Fig. 33, the Sulphur Dun, appears later in the season, is abundant in July and August, and is a favourite with the fish tribes. Fig. 34, the Copper Spinner, is a handsome insect, and well worth attention. Fig. 35 is very abundant in June, and either dressed as shewn, or with a body light coloured at the tail, and dark towards the thorax, is a distinct success. The Drakes recall glorious days with big fish and sunshine and a merry breeze, and again, squally winds, rough waters, and disappointments, but, running through all associations is one of longing to be there again and put one's skill and luck to the test once more, and a feeling of certainty that on the next occasion greater success and better sport would be certain to result from one's efforts. Although a pleasure may be ephemeral, the joy of anticipation is considerable, the preparation for an excursion, when word is sent that the May fly is up, is great, and the memory of such is a joy which lasts to the end of one's life. DUXS. SPINNERS, &c. EPHEMERA. 8 O Q Q ^H Q PQ pc 5 U U PQ U PQ j pq pq <$ pq < « g s 3 S P'S |l •5 ^5 c'rs _ g o rt §r •^ fV^ PQ S, 5 a ^ * S = S S c i § -u ^ "o ^ uj O 05° •> cj o O y O •» w w ^ _v ca 8 t H -Id "r^ Tl "^ *T 8^ ?* S 1 U O O C. JO pq O PQ P ^4 q 0 U ^ 13 OJ *5J « .S 'S 1 1 .S PH T3 5 2 S r ^ " " - j TJ r- •o "o O O O O "3 O = - 1 1 ! * - ' O CJ j ^ c/3 •— i >'/) Q O PQ ^ > E "^ £ '^ -^ ^ '^ § ^ : 3 o -"a o 3 o- . ^ N §* *5 , ii i pq O PQ W ^ O C 50 ? O ? 0 PH c/5 O l! J slm| g. 1 1 { V J^ tfi ^J 3 -2 fi| 2 r^ C tjj ^ ' ^ y^ £ |I«|t| "ll| |S o 1 > .S V « c3 rr1 ""^ b«( p , OS 3 ^ es ^ OS S jj t« U 7. •= = get : a -S X c^ ^^ p D > v *C 3 CT1 2 2i > S3 tn P •~* K* M C ^ oj " rQ b/3 jjo cr o cr ^3 0 '^ 0 ^ OJ C _^ _i> J U r^ O .H ^ ° BB o > c T-i : 'tn ^ H PQ O c/5 Q Q C 55 5 o 6 Q S • '*• O 'o •u J 'O 0 ^ r^4 > .z o ^8 'S'^ ° 'i =5 "3 §*% *. R i ° y tn hj l> 2 .> _<« .> 3 0 PM O £ OP H O pH O PQ Q P^ I hi 'I o o 2 *-< o "o ^ alls : : ' g c ^ •S rrt ° ! ? B ^ p^ >< pq O Q P< O Q 0 ^ H C i-, 2 | ssl Is | •° ° * S'o, >G^ ^ xC— COQ gG C f. tx J| | 1||'|( 0 C 'o .5 u ^5 J *S« > > '5- c 'S.'w '^3 D - 3 "*- IE ~ ^ W C^! & > O C. 5 o o ^, JS c2 & £ O 5§ J? §g g § ^ » } S? ^ '-5 ^ !* CO C^ *iK T i^y % i 1 7 * T-P OKL..AD MAT; CHAPTER IV. DUNS. SPINNERS, &c.— EPHEMERA PLATE 4. The first to claim the would-be angler's attention, and one which has probably been more successfully imitated and generally used than any, is the March Brown shewn in fig. 36. There are several varieties which go by this name, and they vary considerably in size and shade, but the general characteristics are the same, mottled wings, yellow and brown body, and long tails. It is dressed in all sizes, from the smallest trout to salmon fly, and being typical of a mottled insect, does equally well in all. Fig. 37 is an early olive dun, and being of a typical insect colour, does equal execution to the March Brown, and appears early in April. After a few days it changes into a brown and yellow spinner, as shewn on fig. 38. Fig. 39 is the large red spinner, which is the imago of the March Brown. We were never satisfied with the success of the dressing of the spinners, either as imitations or lures, until we hit on the device of using various bright coloured hackles to suggest the colour of their wings ; in this way a suggestion of the beauty of this prismatic effect may be obtained, 37 38 DUNS, SPINNERS, &c.— EPHEMERA . and the result has quite justified the experiment. By coloured hackles are meant fibres of bright glassy hackles, dyed red, or yellow, green or violet, but these must be used carefully to obtain the desired effect — a preponderance of any one colour will ruin the effect. Good glassy grey cock hackle points make very effec- tive wings, either dressed upright or spent wise. Fig. 40 is the orange tailed or autumn spinner, and a successful lure late in the season. Fig. 41 is the small green dun, very abundant at times on the Tanat, and one with wrhich we have had great sport on several occasions. Fig. 42 is the spinner, noticeable at the same time, and equally useful. Figs. 43 and 44 are a pale olive, and its spinner always useful when in doubt what to try. Fig. 45 is the Jenny spinner, which is one of the varieties of doubtful success, coming on when insect life is rife, the fish sorely pressed by anglers ; being very small in size, many fish are pricked and few caught with this imitation as a rule. o Fig. 46 is the medium olive dun, a well tried and established favourite. Fig. 47 is the pale evening dun, which rises in countless myriads from many waters, and is quite a success at times, but it must be dressed small. Fig. 48 is a dark olive dun, preferable to its lighter brethren when dark clouds over-cast the sky. Fig. 49 is the whirling blue dun, which, by the casual observer, is sometimes mistaken for a March Brown on account of its size and dusky upright wings. DUNS, SPINNERS, £c.— EPHEMERA. 39 We have great diffidence in saying much about the cplictjicra^ as so much has been written already by various writers, but we venture to believe that the dressings of the spinners will find favour with, at least, some of our brother anglers. We have had our dressing tested by several good dry fly men, who report favourably on it. The general mistake amongst writers on the subject is to magnify the importance of this class of flies to the exclusion of almost all others. There are only forty varieties of ephemera gener- ally recognised as indigenous in this country, and considering the many other species which also have a true aquatic history and wide distribution, we consider, from the angling point of view, that this is a great mistake, and at times is highly detrimental to the sport to be obtained with an artificial lly. Unfortunately the custom very largely prevails of dressing almost all artificials " up winged," and this is one reason why so few anglers have a just sense of proportion with regard to the proper place of the ephemera in the equipment of the fly fisher. STONE I-IJKS •o w 3 ^ ^ o ^ ' 2 a; •g bjo 8 Si O o 1 f to 0 fc/J "2 £ •^ > C g T3 < 'o ^ 'n C c o c . - - ,0 H J 0 rt U j« g 1 U ^ 1 o &2 3 1 "o M u « Q c is >M IS. pq , >~>Oo 18| >On 3*^ |8| -S3S 81* o CH 23 •=2-38381 § i II o ^> I I 1 £ S S* : C^ S .* O — i »0 10 to -^ O >0 10 «0 ffi E 1 i .ATE5 A so IV 55 '-* o I H 54 *• »y A ^ W. D£^. AO -VAT 52 H '" 56 H 53 fi CHAI'TKR V. STONK I' LIKS PERLID. /:. PLATE 5. The large stone lly shown in fig. 50 (the female, insect) is the May fly of the North of England, and a great favourite with most anglers, though more used in its natural state than as an artificial. The male insect, or Jack, with short wings, is shown on fig. 5oa ; two of these are frequently used on one hook. The larva: of the May fly or creeper, shewn on fig. 500, is frequently used in April and May as a hire, and fished up stream in rapid water in the manner favoured by up-stream worm fishers. The February red (fig. 51) is a very useful fly (early in the season particularly so). The body is a rich burnt Sienna colour, and the wings dark grey, which when held up to the light have a fine reddish brown running through them. The Yellow Sally (fig. 52) is a great favourite of mine, and does exceedingly well when dressed finely with good glassy wings, heavy woolly imitations of this fly being worthless. The early brown (fig. 53) is something like the February red, but has a dark body and wings with a more marked mottle in them. 43 44 STONE FLIES— PERLID^. The Willow fly (fig. 55) comes on later in the season. It is seen flying in the sunshine at times in thousands, gently drifting before the wind, and is also a great favourite. The small Yellow Sally (fig. 54) is another favourite, though for a time its imitation was my despair. However, dyed gut or condor quill as a body, and really glassy hackle points for the wings and legs, have proved the undoing of many trout since then. The small dark needle fly (fig. 56) is found in abundance on most stony streams, and is the last type we propose to show of this interesting and useful family of flies. Unfortunately, in the English language, there is no book giving a complete account of the Stone flies (perlidcE)^ though some work has been done by mem- bers of the Ray, Linnean, and other societies, and it is stated that there are about thirty varieties indigenous to this country. As their name suggests, all frequent stony rapid streams, and in consequence their imita- tions are of the highest importance to anglers in the upper waters of our rivers. They hatch out as early as February, and some members of the family are with us until after the angling season closes. The sight of this plate recalls many happy days of glorious success with baskets of fine fish, taken with the large stone fly when the elements were capricious and anything but favourable, also when the conditions were fine and bright, and the fish were taken from amongst the stones, almost on the STONE FLIES— PERLID^E. 45 ••ravel beds, as well as when offered in the heavier o streams amongst the rocks. The Yellow Sally recalls still wilder scenes amongst the moors; climbs past waterfalls; the stalking of the spotted beauties in the pools ; and the trudge home again in the dusk, wet, tired, and hungry, but withal happy and contented —the cry of the plovers and curlews and a host of other sights and sounds far from the madding crowd — I have been and still o would go ! The Willow ily recalls lower reaches mostly, warmer weather, and balmy Autumn afternoons with a blue haze and a yellow sun, and fine mixed baskets of trout and grayling. All the pcrlidtc are old friends, however, and it seems invidious to mention one without saying some- thing pretty of each in turn. These ilies look very important on the wing, but when at rest, comparatively small, owing to the close way in which the wings are folded up. Theakston calls them " browns " owing to the brown colour which appears when they are viewed against the light, principally due to the reddish brown tino'e of the nervures of the wings. Hackled imitations which are frequently highly successful are shown, but these must be dressed on very small hooks (for the upper waters especially). S K I )( i K F LI I- S—TRICHOPTERA * tJ C5 U 8 ^i*W'§WUW<• <*• -. •& Opoj ,^b/3r^ ^'jcjfi CX'-'.T: djl II 11 if J-J S 1 ^i2 3CL21"1 OO< O^ 'ojkfl >-.<« i>i-Q Ji 3^ C9 c5 ^ ^ >^ »— • S i-3 Q ^ U 32 c G c •» 1) O rt 0> _t(" r^ •g s s £ s ^ 65o£oGoQS » go fcJO w bfl C •f IB & "d H Kg G _-, t/2 5 d i ! iili I fifi MUC^^O'CJM^^ | B § g g £ S S 3 S .ATE 6 X'* 1 Y t s*1 fc 4 L vv. oeu. AD CHAPTER VI. SEDC ; i« F L i K s - TRICHOPTERA, PLATE 6. On plate six arc: shown nine specimens of caddis flies, or sedges as they are commonly called by anglers. It is somewhat difficult to choose which are best as types, out of the two hundred and fifty species indigenous to this country, however, those shown arc all thoroughly tried and tested old friends, and may be taken as fairly representative. Fig. 57 is the largest species (jthryganea grandis), and is the bustard of the North ; there are several other species about three quarters the size of this, with brownish speckled wings, but the form and general colour is much as in the specimen shown. Fig. 58 is called by Ronalds ''corncrake and orange," and is a capital lure when dressed small. Fig. 59 is very like a small clothes moth, and is also a very good lure. Fig. 60 is a much more showy insect and eagerly taken, but never occurs in such numbers as the two last named. Fig. 6 1 is one of the very commonest sedges, and is often called " grouse and green." Entomologists name it Leptocerida Longicornis. 49 50 SEDGE VLlES—TRIC&OPTEjRA. Fig. 62 is a very beautiful insect, and very plentiful at times. It is of a rich cinnamon colour when first hatched, but after a few hours the colour fades to a dull brown. However, its imitation with wings from a sheldrake, jay, or other cinnamon feather does little better than one dressed with the more sober coloured feather of the French partridge or bittern. Fig. 63 is a useful pattern for two reasons — First, it is a common insect ; and secondly, it is very like another common insect, which gets on the water in great quantities at times, namely, the small grass moth, which is so plentiful in meadows when the grass is getting long and for several weeks after. Fig. 64 is another of the very elegant species (limnophilus lunatus), and not one of the most numerous, but taken with avidity when it does hatch out. Fig. 65 is the Silverhorn, which is typical of half a dozen species ; it may be seen in clouds at times, hovering busily over the water, and is quite worthy of the angler's attention. One curious feature of the sedges is that the bodies of the males and females in several species are almost complementary in colour, the male reddish brown and the female green, or vice versa, and with different localities we also observe a considerable difference in the depth of the colour of both wings and bodies. SEDGE FLIES— TRICHOPTERA. 51 As a rule the northern specimens are darker than those taken from more southerly rivers. The caddis flies recall many captures of large baskets of fine trout on the Eden and other northern rivers with the bustard. We are aware that the modern dry fly man may turn up his nose at such practices, but, I can assure him, that to be alone on a dark night in a wild region, on a river with which one is only partially familiar even in daylight, is a weird experience ; the cry of the curlew, the mournful plaint of the peewits, the rasping call of the landrail, the woeful shrieking and hooting of the owls, the whirring of the night-jars, and the calls of numberless other birds, to say nothing of the unexpected bark of a fox, or a splash of an otter, are calculated to make a lasting impression on even the most stolid. Then the mist rises, sounds gradually die away, the light shimmers on the water, and in a very short time the green and gold, pink and crimson of sunrise appear, and larks, blackbirds, thrushes, and other songsters burst into a psean of praise, the mystery has disappeared, and there only remain a few short hours of coolness before the heat of another summer day. Again the day draws to a close, and a wild head- long rise takes place, not a placid dimpling, but an eager haste to absorb something as yet unseen. By very careful watching and examination it may be found that there are thousands of minute trichoptera skating about on the water ; at such times a small imitation of patterns 58, 59, or 60 will be found 52 SEDGE FLIES— TRICHOPTERA. invaluable, though these patterns also do well at times other than the close of day. The afternoon rise on fine, sleepy, warm afternoons is frequently due to a hatch of caddis Hies, and the plop of a big trout by the edge of the rushes, is fre- quently the death knell of a big caddis fly. The larvae of this family are the familiar caddis worms encased in sticks, stones, or leaves cemented together. They are very good scavengers, feeding on animal matter, but do not hesitate to attack fish fry whenever opportunity offers. The dragon fly larvae are their bete noire^ the long spear with which they are armed, proving a capital weapon for poking the caddis worm out of the protecting sheath. A good deal has been said about the transportation of natural flies to newly made fisheries. The family which lends itself more than any other to such planting is the one now under discussion — we have on various occasions very successfully introduced several species into waters where they did not previously occur, and being very prolific they soon form an important addition to the food supply. BEETLES, &C.—COLEOPTERA, &c. W C O O Q Q Q w . Q ti. r^ u. c/5 M g Z 4 . 1^ :§ O Q> *(j PI G I " ^"fll S M "^ ^ 'c S ^ ij oJ ,y X J2 -2 S H W » u W r r\ 1 «j § "a; Tl ^ £ 2 1 8 ^ | ^ -g 8 -g 55 "o o oj ss k S PH O O Q £ O /. EETLES 1 i-s - 11 111 1 . ' W^^P^f^c^ MO uj CQ s; r^% WINGS. 11 1 s!t°§ ^ i s| |& i 2^ |g g^ | |* r.EOPTL THORAX. ,c .0 ^ O U O " "t/5 O ^ ^ 0 Co ^H 1 -o 0^7$ g g 8 g 8 g *| J^* ,_*^ ^ rrt r^ rt O ^ ^ u 5 £ S £ O S HORNS. "ti 4-» -^M c/3 F* tt> \n QJ g|.|8 •g | I'll"" & NAME. u) * i 1 fcJ3 C Ji JJ D 0 ^ -^ •6 S fe IS i M c i- S »M *o x ^^-|^^ -5 .g £2 o5 « .y =3 o 3 '3 PS o t>ct^t/3^° 2UCA3C^WCJ^!>I> 1 § S 8 S g S B 5 S t CHAPTER VII. BEETLES, &C.—COLEOPTERA, &c. PLATE 7. Fig. 66 is sometimes popularly called a Maying, naturalists name it Serica bntnnca. In some seasons it is exceedingly abundant, and large trout and also chub take it freely fished floating in deep waters ; its si/e commands an amount of attention which would not be paid to a smaller lure. Fig. 67 is the common cowdung beetle (ophodius fastens]. It is abundant everywhere, and is frequently seen on the wing, particularly on bright days. Fig. 68 is the familiar soldier beetle of our boyhood (telephorus lividits), and is very common in June on umbelliferous plants ; an almost exact imitation of the elytra may be made, as shown, from the " tippet " feathers of the golden pheasant. Some beetles of this family have red bodies, in others the colour is much darker. By some, this beetle is called the fern web, and, dressed as shown, it does well on bright days, and will float any length of time if oiled. Fig. 69 is the sailor beetle (telephorus rusticus] which is strongly in evidence about Whitsuntide. It has blue elytra (wing cases), and in general form is similar to the soldier beetle. 56 BEETLES, &C.—COLEOPTERA, &c. The next is fig. 70, the common earth beetle (elaphms cuprous), plentiful under stones, among decayed leaves, and many other places. It is fre- quently washed into the water, and is eagerly taken by the finny tribes. Fig. 71 is not a beetle, but one of the aquatic hemiptera or water boatmen (corixa striata], whose jerky method of swimming is doubtless familiar to all. In April it frequently takes to the wing, and on warm days may be seen alternately flying and swimming about in the still margins, its revels being interrupted by the dash of a hungry fish. Even trout fry will attack it with ferocity, and when one is disabled by the loss of a paddle, will crowd round and finish it amongst them. Fig. 72 is another of the same genus (notonecta glauca), also esteemed a dainty by the trout. I do not like the paddles with which the imitation of these species are sometimes furnished, as they act as spinners, and quickly ruin a fine gut cast. A few fine long legs which have not this objection we have found equally efficacious. Fig. 73 (gerris lacustris) is often erroneously called a water spider, though it is more properly known as a water measurer (/iy drome Ira). It is common every- where, and is on the water from the early spring onwards, and, before more luscious morsels are to be had, is taken with avidity. Fig. 74 is another of the same species (velia currens), and known to anglers as the water cricket. BEETLES, &c.—COLEOPTERA,&c. 57 It is an excellent " fly " in the early part of the season — I have known trout to refuse a March brown, a blue dun, and other favourites, and yet take the water cricket freely. Of beetles generally, I should say that they are most useful on sunny days, when there is no particular rise of flies going on, and when fishing still glassy water. I have at times done exceedingly well with them — to be successful, however, they must be dressed small, except for very deep water. They float well, and shy old trout which know the appearance of many artificials will, at times, fall a prey to one of the beetles. It may be that even trout tire at times of the succulent dun, and are then tempted to their undoing by the opportunity of indulging in a more substantial morsel. If, when trying a beetle, the result is a number of wild splashing rises, it shows that interest has been excited, and a change to a smaller beetle, or even to a dun, and going over the same water, will frequently achieve success where before not a rise was to be obtained. The cochy bondhu has been a favourite lure from time immemorial, but few seem to have a clear idea as to what the natural beetle is really like, and surely, the ordinary dressing is very far removed from being a close imitation of the natural. The fact that nature provides so exact a counter- part of the elytra of this beetle, in the tippet feather of 58 BEETLES, &C.—COLEOPTERA, &>c. the golden pheasant, seems to have escaped the notice of most. We have taken fish after fish with this imitation when the conditions were distinctly unfavour- able to sport — being too bright and calm. One of the first I ever caught was taken from a small stream — more years ago than I care to remem- ber. Going out fishing without bait I began grubbing in a meadow to find some, all that came to hand being two or three of these small beetles. Putting one on, I crawled to the brink and dropped it cautiously in at the head of a stream, where it was instantly seized by a lusty half-pounder, which, after a brief struggle, was ignominiously swung on to the bank. Such an experi- ence makes one greet these small beetles as friends whenever they come under notice. The capture of trout in those days was like " angels' visits " — few and far between. VARIOUS VLIKS—HYMENOPTERA, &c. 59 JjS^^UUQQUQ UU<< 9 PQ g C M 1 «| 0> ^M 0 *"3 «-^ cd J-" o *- JS a _e ^,0 •5 « g | •s # S ^ S s 'S ^ ^ ^ & • a ve <" NOTES s- !* *' 1 i ••• 8 *! -2| | 1 1 * S g -06 -a § £ 2 £ •"C o •8 3* 6-6 § § - : ?l -si si .2 § •9 I £.s| ^= o >,— aj 0 — — W ^ rQ 3 **" J3 — « < & < cj cy H H !» » g 1 « "o .ts .S •> * | -S i i J pa ^ ^ ^ c i . Si i - J'u "o *o ^ g "o "o^^ O O c/5 PQ O ?* PQ I3 1 ^ — O Tl > -» (Urr-t'OU ^j -| 3^^ ^|| .gs | ^1| | | 111, lls; 1 sili si-s 111^ ^ itMMi ill it §w^ -5 gSi^g^i&gS-g ^ B-o-S^o-c u^ a c uup«c/2^p-iwupt$ K CM CH PH pq >, > pc "a 3 ^S ^ ° 2 ^ c c< ^J p is ^Co-^°- ^ 0-^1 ° ? £ ^ 2 dj'S^'o *j 0 w'S 1 ^ g tX3 Ou"^ CU 0 0 3 P* g s >? < •c -c -cog H O O ^ ^ O O ^jn O S 0 CJ 1 _, 0 U S [ H ^2 J& v £ £ 3 2 " y£ fl r^ g -g 8 8 S g 1 !%£ J ^ S SoJo-GX^ C$ §>2 X5 g T3 •g « o ^ | ^ |» = st'^i ^oj; g Sp.2TJ.52 1 J o ^a§ Su^i5 G C 1^ O I-H J_) i lMi PQ PH PH PQ gi I .* j ^ i 2; si 0 I 8 £ 8 l i i 1 i . 1 1 -51 i I *i 2~ QHUPQH SP