HENRY HEATH'S SPECIALITY FOR ANGLERS.

Vide " THE TIMES," Februaay 5, 1883.

"HENRY HEATH has invented a HAT BAND in which the Fly Fisher can keep separate
Flies, and upon which he can wind his 'points' of gut and flies."

e R K E i E Y Sfclf-Adapting to any Hat. Price 2s. Post Free 26 Stamps.

ENERAL
IBRAR

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CAll

B 7

SOFT TWEED HATS, SHOOTING AND FISHING.

PRICES 8s. 6d. AND 10s. 6d., POST FREE. WITH OR WITHOUT EAR FLAPS.

THE "KEEPS ME DRY" SOU'-WESTER.

Combination in a Sou Wester of Hat, Hood, and Cape.

Its superiority to the ordinary Sou'-Wester in covering the
back of head, neck, and chest, thus preventing the uncomfort-
able dampness caused by the wind blowing the rain into the
neck whilst at sea, especially in standing at the wheel, or on
the bridge or look-out, will be at once evident, and has
caused it to find great favour amongst the fishermen in Mr.
Gotaas' (the inventor) native country, Norway.

Price, " Sailor's quality" 2s. 6d. Post free, 2s. Wd.

FOR SHIP'S USE BY THE DOZEN 25s. CARRIAGE

PAID.

HATS FOR NORWAY, &c.

With Flapped Oilskin Hats we should
have been waterproof, but with one of these
I was unprovided ; and in spite of collars and
woollen wrappers, the water would find its
way down our necks. — Vide " The Norway
Fjords," by J. A. FROVDE.— Longman's
Magazine, Dec., 1882.

With additional Cape and Neckpiece in
various Waterproof Tweeds, i6/- 2i/-

HENRY HEATH,

ONLY ONE ADDRESS.

105 &

Ke-numbe-ei

(CITY END).

OVER AGAINST NEWMAN ST. Established in the Reign of King George IV.

HENRY HEATH,

Country Visitors should note

Re-numbered

05 £

ONE ADDRESS.

OXFORD STREET,

OVER AGAINST NEWMAN SREET. (CITY END)
Established in the Eeign of King George IV.

BY ROYAL LETTERS

FASHIONABLE SILK HATS.

Extra Quality (Cash Price) . 17/-
Other Qualities . . 13/6 and 10/6

BEST FELT HATS.

Black and all new colors 10/6 12/6 is/-

Country Residents should \vrite for

HENRY
HEATH S

TRADE
MARK.

HENRY HEATH'S
HEAD-MEASURING BAND

for taking the form and size of the head.
Tne Bank is forwarded post free to country
residents for " SELF -MEASUREMENT,"
ensuring a comfortable fitting hat.

POCKET H n1 ~ • 0 WJE&STEREO,
A%SPLEN_PID HAT FOR TRAVELLING

-They fall into two or three neglige shapes at the will
of the wearer. These Hats are luxuriously lined with
Real Russia Leather, the aroma of which is lasting and
delightfully refreshing to the wearer.

Price 8/6 free by Post.

BEITISH

ANGLING FLIES.

BY

MICHAEL THEAKSTON.

REVISED AND ANNOTATED BY

FRANCIS M. WALBRAN.

JHoobmt Illustrations ; sub $IIustratrb foitb Jlrafoings of
ptarai <$ltes.

RIPON :

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM HARRISON, MARKET PLACE.

LONDON :

SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, AND RIVINGTON,
CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET.

{Entered at Stationers' Hall.}

er

INDEX.

AT the time this book was written, the angling flies were a
mixed mass, without order or class, and without any
descriptions of their kinds, sizes, shapes or colors. Their
names were a chance medley given by the anglers of dif-
ferent streams, and what they were called on one water
would rarely distinguish them on another. After years of
examination of the flies for the purpose of imitation, it was
observable that several of them were of the same shape, but
differing in their sizes and colors, and that several more
were of another shape, varying likewise in their sizes and
colors. This hinted the system of separation according to
shapes and construction, which divided the mixed mass of
flies into seven distinct parts or classes. Eesearches were
resumed each succeeding season, so long as any of the
aquatic or land flies that are of interest to the flyfisher
could be met with. They were generally taken alive, and
were closely examined, measured, drawn, and described,
and placed to their respective classes. This ultimately
'severed the mixed mass, and gave to each individual fly in
the classes a " local habitation and a name." The design
and order of their structure was by the great Architect that
made them : He formed them in classes, and stamped each
class with its own peculiar family likeness.

After the flies were divided into classes, it became neces-

M84645-I

iv. LIST OF FLIES.

sary to give an appropriate name to each class, in order to
distinguish them. Their names are as follows : —

PAGE.

1st Class, BROWNS. — From the prevailing color, which is brown,
more or less mingled with orange and yellow. The Stone
Fly is the largest of the class, and superior trout fly of
the angler's list. There are eleven species, all termed
Browns ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

2nd Class, DRAKES.— Named by the flyfishers of yore. The
Drakes are the only class that have protective skins when
they leave the water, in which they can fly about and
cast off at leisure. Casting changes their color, and to
appearance doubles their number. There are about six-
teen different species, all of the name of Drake. The
green, grey, and brown Drakes are the largest types of
this class 3

3rd Class, DUNS, are named from their colors of deep sable
hues to the light tinges and shades of an evening summer
cloud in the setting sun. There are seventeen species,
all named Duns, of which the red Dun is the largest
species 5

4th Class, SPINNERS, are named from their round shoulders,
long small bodies, narrow wings, and long legs. There
are twelve species, all of the name of Spinners. The type
of this class is the Jenny Spinner, or Harry Longlegs ... 7

5th Class, HOUSE FLY. — Named from their resemblance to the

House Fly. There are seven species termed Flies ... 8

6th Class, BEETLES. — Nine species of their common name ... 9
7th Class, ANTS. — Their are two species of their common name 9

Few of the flies in these classes bear the old conventional
names, which do not fall in with this arrangement ; most
of them having been given without regard to distinction or
description. The terms "Browns," "Drakes," "Duns,"
and " Spinners," are significant and proper, and are of very
ancient usage by flyfishers, but the misapplication of them
has ever caused great confusion. Thus all the "Drake"

INDEX. V.

class, except the green and grey, before casting their 'skins,
are commonly, but erroneously, termed " Duns," and after
casting " Spinners." The terms " Dun " and " Spinner "
are misapplied ; they and the other class names can only
be applied to flies of their own shape and class. In the
following list every fly is surnamed after its class ; which
distinguishes its shape, and the additional name or names
given from color or other peculiarities, distinguishes one
species or fly from another, and gives their sizes and colors,
as " Red BROWN," " Golden Legged BEETLE," " Sand FLY,"
<fec., &c.

FEBRUARY.

Theakston's Name. District Names. Page.

1st. Needle BROWN ... " Spanish Needle," " Willow Fly." 11
2nd, Early BROWN ... " Little Brown," "Winter Brown,"

" Woodcock and Orange." 13

3rd, Little Early BROWN 13

4th. Early SPINNER 14

5th, Gravel SPINNER ... " Spider Fly," " Sand Gnat." ... 14

6th, Red BROWN ... " Red Fly," " Coch-y-bonddu " of Wales. 15

MARCH.

7th, Early DUN 17

8th, Blue DRAKE " Cocktail." " Blue Dun." " Olive Bloa." 17
9th. Orange DRAKE ... "Red Spinner." The Blue and
Orange Drake are one and the same fly ; the Blue Drake
casts her skin and becomes the Orange Drake ; casting
her skin changes her color, but it does not transform
her shape — she is a drake fly both before and after cast-
ing. Nature seems to have fitted out the Blue Drake
with three coats. When she is not dismayed by cold
days, she casts one by one early in spring, and strips

into buff towards summer, a rich lemon color 18

10th, Golden-legged BEETLE 19

llth, Tortoise Shell BEETLE 19

Vill. LIST OF FLIES.

Theakston's Name. District Names. Page.

73rd, Vermlllion DRAKE 62

74th, Dark Pied DUN ... " Black Silverhorns." 62

75th, Black DUN 63

76th, White DUN "Bustard." 63

77th, Red ANT 65

78th, White Legged DUN 66

79th, Dotterel DUN 67

80th, Black ANT 67

JULY.

81st, Spotted Whisk DRAKE 70

82nd, Fringed DUN 70

83rd, Orange BROWN 70

84th, Light Pied DUN 71

85th, Grey DUN 71

86th, Coral Eyed DRAKE 71

87th, Pale Blue DRAKE ... "Little Pale Blue Dun." ... 72

88th, Bronze BEETLE 72

8!)th, Little Brown DUN .. " Brown Silverhorns." ... 73

90th, Late Black SPINNER ... '• Gnat or Fly." 73

Extracts from Note Books in August, September, October,

and November ... ... ... ... ... ... 77

Autumnal Grayling Fishing ... ... ... ... ... 97

On Creepers 103

Artificial Flies Ill

Remarks on the Yorkshire Rivers 123

A Day on the Yore 135

In Memoriam ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 141

PREFACE.

MANY and great have been the improvements that have
taken place in matters piscatorial during the past twenty
years, and were the author of this little work now alive,
he would no doubt be only too glad to admit the advan-
tages that anglers have derived from them.

Born in the ancient city of Ripon, upon the banks of
the Yore, and from early boyhood passionately fond of
anything connected with fish or fishing, he pursued his
favourite sport until a year or so previous to his death,
which took place at the ripe old age of eighty. A short
time ago I had the pleasure of inspecting the original
manuscripts of this work, and at the same time had a
most interesting conversation with one of the author's
daughters ; many were the happy days, she informed
me, that she had spent with her father, acquiring know-
ledge into the inmost secrets of insect life, or accom-
panying him on some angling excursion during the
long summer days. I may add that this lady sketched
from nature the whole of the flies depicted in this book,
so that evidently her father's lessons were not thrown
away. Although I am a great advocate for the system
of matching your artificial flies with the natural ones

X. PREFACE.

upon the water at the time of fishing, still I am of
opinion that an unnecessary number of patterns only
confuses the tyro ; the author gives a list of ninety
varieties, I have gone through the whole carefully, one
by one, and have come to the conclusion that from
thirty to forty of them are amply sufficient to meet the
requirements of the angler, not only upon the Yorkshire
rivers, but upon any stream. Theakston has adopted a
nomenclature entirely his own, and great has been the
amount of both time and labour that I have expended
upon the identification of some of his patterns ; many
of them are merely reproductions of different shades of
the same fly, and it saves an immensity of trouble to
adopt the plan in the first instance advocated by Mr.
Francis, and later on by David Foster, viz., to keep a
good stock of Browns, Duns, and Spinners of different
shades, and adapt them to the various contingencies of
water and weather. To such flies as I consider almost
indispensable to the wandering angler I have appended
foot notes, giving the name by which the fly is more
generally known, and also any comments that I have
thought might possibly prove of interest.

For some of the information contained in those notes
I must acknowledge my indebtedness to several sources,
among which I may mention the works of Ronalds,
Jackson, " Ephemera," and Blacker, also last, but by
no means least, that splendid volume edited by Mr.
W. H. Aldain, which illustrates, by means of actual
dressed flies and their component parts, the patterns
recommended by an old Derbyshire flyfisher who lived

PREFACE. xi.

almost a century ago. I also tender my cordial thanks
to Mr. F. Francis and Mr. R B. Marston, who have
both of them been most kind in rendering me valuable
assistance whenever I chose to apply for it, the first-
named gentleman especially took great trouble in dis-
covering the identity of several patterns, with which I
was completely puzzled, owing to the ambiguity of some
of the author's expressions.

The patterns of both Theakston and Jackson have
long been considered as standard flies for the Yorkshire
rivers, especially on the Yore and Wharfe. Jackson
resided at Tanfield Mill, on the banks of the former
river, about the year 1850, and here may still be found
his old fishing hut, a la Walton and Cotton, and a
square stone slab with the inscription " Amicitiae et
piscatoribus sacrum." I have however tested most of
their patterns upon other streams in Derbyshire, Staf-
fordshire, and North Wales, and have invariably found
them quite as seductive as the local flies. Owing to the
streamy nature of the majority of the Yorkshire rivers,
spider flies sparsely dressed generally answer the best,
although there are certain conditions of water and
weather when it will be found more profitable to employ
a winged pattern at the end of a fine-drawn gut cast
and floated dry, as in the Hampshire style.

I consider myself that no higher compliment could
have been paid to the former editions of this book than
the opinion expressed by Mr. Francis in his " Book on
Angling," in which he characterizes it as " Theakston's
capital little work on the streams about liipon." The

xii. I'REFACE.

praise of such an authority and such an angler would
indeed have been deemed by old Michael a fitting
reward for what he terms, in his closing remarks, the
work of the idle hours casually spent during fifty sea-
sons. Theakston was himself a born angler — a man
who did not pursue the art for the sake of gain or the
force of imitation, but purely for the love of the sport;
his chapters upon the creepers of the various Browns,
Duns, and Drakes (as he terms them), and the " Extracts
from Note Books," amply prove the immense amount
of research necessary to arrive at such conclusions,
whilst some of his comments upon the various months
breathe forth a freshness and simplicity which stamp
him at once as a fervent admirer of the works of Nature.
None of the original text of the book has been interfered
with in the least — even the remarks on smelt fishing,
which is now illegal, being allowed to stand as in
former editions ; as previously stated, any alterations
or comments that I have deemed necessary having been
made by means of foot notes. As the author appears
to have devoted more attention to the capture of trout
than grayling, and as a number of killing patterns for
grayling flies have been invented during the past twenty
years, I have thought it better to add a separate chapter
upon that subject, and also one touching briefly upon
the various rivers and angling stations throughout
Yorkshire. The two concluding chapters, " A Day on
the Yore," and " In Memoriam," will no doubt be old
friends to many of my readers, having been contributed
to an angling paper some time ago ; I introduce them

PREFACE. Xlii.

into the present work to take the place of an " Addenda,"
which was merely a reproduction of what the author
had stated before respecting the various baits suitable
for each month ; in doing so, if an apology be owing to
my readers, I will plead as an excuse that the first-
named article is descriptive of a day's sport upon one of
the Yorkshire streams with which I have had to deal in
the present work ; and that the latter was written in
affectionate remembrance of one of the dearest friends
and companions that I ever had in this world, and but
for whose influence I might possibly never have had
occasion to reiterate the expression made use of by
Mr. Francis, in one of his delightful angling essays —
" Thank God for making me a fisherman."

FRANCIS M. WALBRAN.

Pool, WJiarfedale,

April, 1883.

ON THE RIVER YORE, BACKFALL.

THE CLASSES.

TROUT, Grayling, and Smelt, the treasures of the streams
and the delight of the flyfisher, feed on numbers of natural
flies of different kinds, which for better distinction may be
divided into the following classes. Each class contains many
distinct species or families that differ from each other in their
sizes and colors, but are alike in their shape and construction,
which classes them naturally together not to be mistaken.
The classification of shape with the descriptions of sizes and
color, may serve as guides to the different species of each
class, with a view that they may be distinguished and known
whenever they meet the eye of the fly fisher.

IST. — BROWNS. — The browns claim priority in the ang-
ler's list, they are #11 bred in the water, and are of the. same
shape and construction as the stone fly, which is the largest
of the class, and the needle brown is the smallest ; they
have three shoulder joints that join together in a line with
the head and body, which gives the length and cylindrical

5 THE CLASSES.

form of the carcase of the fly [see Creeper]. Their bodies
are smooth and fleshy, consisting of eight or nine joints, or
rings, and is about the length of the head and shoulders.
At the breast of each shoulder there is a pair of legs, and
they have two pairs of smooth oblong wings, which, when
folded, circle close over and beyond the body in a round
cylindrical form, giving most of the species the appearance
of a short piece of wire. The top wings shew veiny, and
stand on the middle shoulder ; the under wings stand on
the shoulder which joins the body. They have two feelers
at the head, and- most of them two whisks at the tail.
Their most prevailing color is brown, from which they are
named, on a yellow or orange ground ; and are very quick
runners both on land and water. All the class are day flies,
except the stone fly, which sometimes steal out in the gloom
of dark days, but generally in the dusk and twilight of
night. They are the earliest and latest angling flies ; most
of the species hatch in the spring, but some are on the
water nearly the seasons round. Some species, like the
stone fly, hatch the main swarm in two or three weeks, and
their generation disappear for the year; others, like the
needle brown, continue hatching and breeding through the
season. The streams of Eipon produce them in great num-
bers, and all fish that take flies feed off them greedily —
for trout they may be considered the leading class. The
following species are in the class :

Needle Brown .... Page 11

Early Brown (or Winter Brown) . 13

Little Early 13

Red Brown 15

Royal Charlie 20

Light Brown 23

Mottled Brown 25

Stone Fly 28

Bloa Brown 36

Yellow Brown (Yellow Sally) . . 43

Orange Brown 70

THE CLASSES.

2ND. — DRAKES. — The Drake genus claims next the atten-
tion of the flyfisher ; they are all bred in the water. The
green drake is the largest, and the pattern fly of the class
— the white drake is the smallest. They have close thick
shoulders and smooth taper bodies, which curve upwards
like the feathers in the tail of a drake — from which it is
said they are named. Their bodies consist of eight or nine
joints or rings of a dim transparency, and in length near
two-thirds of the fly ; they have a pair of smooth oblong
wings which, when at rest, stand upright like those of a
butterfly, and are generally about the length of the fly, and
better than half the breadth ; a diminutive wing stands at
the root of each large one ; and they have two or three
hairs in the tail. They are indifferent runners on both land
and water, and will suffer themselves to be taken up by the
wings. They are not so hardy as the browns ; their shoul-
ders and bodies are naked and exposed, but nature has
furnished them with a temporary covering to protect them
from the cold, which they cast off when it is no longer
required. They are hatched and take wing, a perfect fly,
in this protective covering, which is a thin filmy skin, that
fits close to all the parts, and obscures or tinges the real
colors of the fly ; at its own time, probably when the
weather suits, it bursts open its temporary covering at the
shoulders, in the same way as it did the creeper case [see
Creeper], and comes out generally a different color, giving
it the appearance of a different fly. The wings are then
more transparent and sparkling, the colors more distinct,
and the whole fly, as if imbued with fresh spirit, is more
smart and active. They then sport on the wing, and
assemble together into those groups or swarms we see
about the waters in summer evenings, usually called spin-
ners, when they are in their matured state and last dress.
Individuals vary in each species of the Drake class : some
may be seen with very long fore legs, long hairs or whisks
in the tail, and case eyes, which seem placed on a flat or
convex projection from each side of the top of the head ;

7 THE CLASSES.

but are most observable after casting their skins. Some
species, like the Green Drake, hatch their main body in
two or three weeks, and soon after disappear for the sea-
son ; others, like the iron blue, continue hatching succes-
sively through it. They are a delicate and beautiful class
of flies, of various sizes, colors and shades — abounding in
all their varieties in vast numbers, in the streams of Eipon,
and are general favorites with fish. The class contains the
following species :

Blue Drake (Blue Dun) . . Page 17

Orange ....... 18

Brown (March Brown) . . . . 22

Amber 23

Iron Blue . . , . . 33

Pearl 33

Spiral Brown (Checkwing) ... 34

Red (erroneously Great Red Spinner) . 35

Little Dark :;<;

Little Red 36

Red Brown 37

Dark Amber 38

Dark (Dark Watchet) ... 39

Dark Red 39

Light (Light Watchet) ... 44

Light Red . . . . . 45

Black 50

Black Red 50

Green ....... 51

Grey . . . . . . . 55

White 56

Vermillion 62

Spotted Whisk . . ' . . . 70

Coral -eyed . . . . . . 71

Pale Blue -72

3RD. — DUNS. — The red dun is the largest of the dun
tribes, and the representative of this class ; the least
freckled dun is the smallest mentioned here. They have
two long feelers, small heads, short necks, and small jumped-
up shoulders ; their bodies consist of eight or nine joints,
are rather longer than the head and shoulders, and a little

THE CLASSES. 8

thicker in the middle ; they have two pairs of large wings
set near the head, the under ones of some fold double, and
all close together along the back and slope down over the
sides like the roof of a house, in an irregular triangular
form — commencing like a point at the shoulders and grow-
ing broader to the ends. The top of the head, shoulders,
and exposed parts of the folded wings, are in general set
with a fine short down, which fringes the edges of the
wings, and glistens in the sun with rich reflections; the
under wings and parts are plain ; their thighs are thick and
fleshy, their legs long, and set with like small feet similar
to the moths — to which they seem akin ; and they sport on
the wing much more in the dusk and twilight than in the
day time ; they are in general tender and susceptible of
cold — a warm evening shews many of the species up in
great numbers^ when they are very active and nimble, fly-
ing off in quick whirls and rounds, and running exceedingly
fast. They are a very numerous class, of various sizes,
colors, and mottles, varying in shade from the light coppery
tinge to the deep dun hue of the thunder cloud, which has
named them. They are all bred in the water, from creepers,
that are enclosed in artificial cases, singularly composed
around them for their preservation ; most of them swarm
twice a year. The following species have been under
notice :

Early Dun Page 1 7

Gran n am or Green tail .... 27

Sanded Dun 38

Plover . 39

Freckled 40

Light 40

Little Freckled Dun . . . . 43

Least ....... 44

Fceted 45

Dark 46

Red 46

Brown .,,,,.. 58

9 THE CLASSES.

Horned Dun 60

Tufted 61

Dark Pied 62

Bustard (White Moth) 63

Black 63

White-legged 66

Dotterel 67

Fringed 70

Light Pied 71

Grey 71

Little Brown 73

Some of these three classes of aquatics are hatching and
on the water throughout the season ; and by their daily
appearance become known to the fish, and form part of
their daily food. The smooth wings and fleshy bodies of
the browns and drakes prevail in streams like the Ure \
the duns are often plentiful and well taken in such as the
Laver and Skell. The three classes comprise a store for
selection that may serve for every day in the season.

4TH. — SPINNERS. — This class is intended to include those
long-legged slender tribes of flies, called here jenny spin-
ners ; the grey spinner is the largest of the class, and the
heron spinner the smallest that is mentioned here. They
have small heads and smaller necks, large rounded shoul-
ders and small cylindrical bodies, consisting of about nine
joints, from two-thirds to three-fourths the length of the
fly. They have in general two small feelers and a small
trunk or brush at the nose ; they have six long small legs,
and a pair of long narrow wings — some slanting upwards
from the shoulders, others laying horizontally on each other
over the back. In cold weather they are weak, and fly
heavy, but when warm and suitable they take lofty flights.
There are vast varieties of them, many of very delicate
texture and rich colors. Some are bred on lancl and some
in the water; and all are very natural and attractive to
the fish.

THE CLASSES. 10

Early Spinner .... Page 14

Gravel (Spider Fly) .... 14

Heron 20

Spinner 28

Black (Gnat) 35

Spotted 49

Little Spotted 49.

Grey 50

Black and Yellow .... 57

Black 57

Blue (Gnat) 57

Late Black (Gnat) 73

5TH. — HOUSE FLY. — The flies of this class resemble the
house fly in having large heads, thick shoulders and body,
which is about half the length of the fly, with a pair of
clear oblong wings which lie flat or horizontal, and point
more or less from the body. They are principally bred on
land, but being exceedingly numerous, many fall casually
on the water and are taken by the fish.

Lion Fly (Cowdung) . . . Page 21

Black (or Midge) 24

House 25

Bluebottle 26

Bee or Bank 32

Hawthorn ...... 37

Oak (Woodcock or Downlooker) . . 48

GTH. — BEETLE. — The outer parts of the beetle are hard
and shelly, and the shoulders are united to the body by a
flexible joint which enables them to turn and steer ; the
fore legs are attached to the shoulder, and the other four
to the shelly breast plate. They have two pairs of wings,
the upper ones hard, which stand close to the shoulder
plate, and fold over a pair of soft ones and the upper parts
of the body. They are of an oblong or oval shape, more
or less flattened. Many of them are bred in the water, and
are very natural food for fish ; and are a very numerous
class. The colors and sizes of the following species are
very attractive, and suitable for imitations for the small
flyfisher,

11 THE CLASSES.

Golden-legged Beetle . . . Page 19

Tortoiseshell 19

Red 47

Mealy Brown . .... 47

Brown 47

Soldier ' 48

Sailor . 58

Jumper . . . . . . 61

Bronze 72

TTH. — ANT. — The Ant genus, which includes the pismire
tribes, consists of many species, that live in communities,
often of immense numbers, and are dispersed over the fields
and in the woods, in places of their own peculiar choice. A
portion of each community are annually furnished with
wings ; and in the summer season, at their appointed time,
fly off and leave the colony as bees do their hives, when
numbers fall on the neighbouring streams and are readily
nipped up by the fish. The working portion of the com-
munity have large hawk-like heads, and large oval bodies
— which are united by two or three comparatively very
small shoulder joints, to which their legs are attached, but
those that have wings appear to have but one jumped-up
shoulder, as thick as their bodies, and united by a small,
hair-like link ; they have two jointed feelers, which they
make constant use of, and run exceedingly fast. Some
species have one, and some two pair of thin glassy wings,
which fall flat over the back and reach beyond the end of
the body ; the top ones are the length of the ant. Their
colors vary, shading from black to red and the lightest
amber. They are brilliant little gems on the top of the
water, sparkling with short gilded reflections and rich
transparencies. Descriptions of these two species may suf-
fice for the whole ; their most striking difference being but
in size and shades of the above colors

Red Ant Fly Page 65

Black Ant Fly 67

On Creepers Page 103

Artificial Flies Ill

CLASSES.

PL I.

Spinners.

BROWNS.

PI. II.

DRAKES

DUNS.

J L v

riv

BUNS.

P1.F.

SPINNERS .

T

\

- y>

A

SPIKNERS

Grey Spinner
Seethe 4"^ Class.

f

HOUSE PLIES.

y

' ^ r. i-.

BEETLES .

\ i

*

. \ / ,

I

BEETLES.

PIVL.

ANTS.

80

1S-T CLASS BROWNS *• THEIR CREEPERS .

2ND CLASS DRAKES & THEIR CREEPERS.

5 ^Brovrn. Drake & Cr

DRAKES & THEIR CREEPERS.

PL VI.

6?1 CarcU-F.Y '<i Drake & Creeper.

t

*.a CLASS DTJ.NS& THEIR CREEPERS.

7tKUeciDu,n., Crtetv-r & Arivtu-ijL

Z.j-.jktDu.M., Creeper * Artifaia.1 Case

Creeper * ArtiKdoL Cctse

9*KFre-ckkd'Dw+L,&etyer& Artificial Cocse..

ARTIFICIAL FLIES.

PL vm.

; **• Brow-ns

- Drakes

-~m^j

6**- beetles.

^^^^^N ^^)

^ Ants.

W^)

THE LIST OF FLIES.

FEBRUARY.

THE feathered choristers resume their song — the starved
trout begins to stir as winter retires, and he courts the
genial currents — grayling glide in the calms, and smelt
abide in the deeps. Few are the flies and short the inter-
vals of flyfishing during the days of February— an hour or
two before, and after noon, opens and closes the sport for
the day ; and often for days, and sometimes the whole
month, the weather and water forbid flyfishing.

1ST.— THE NEEDLE BROWN.1— Full length,* a quarter
to a quarter and one-sixteenth ; length, short of a quarter,

(1) This fly is a great favourite of mine during the early spring and autumn
months ; it would be a most valuable auxiliary to the flyflsher if it could be accur-
ately imitated, but owing to its diminutive size, this is by no means an easy task.
The author is far more explicit in his description of the fly itself, than he is in the
mode of dressing it, his term, " fine fleshy grizzled hair," being very ambiguous,
although I have no doubt that he knew perfectly well himself what was intended
by the expression. Mr. Francis has on several occasions written at some length
upon the merits of this fly, and in his Book on Angling gives the following pattern,
with which I have killed a good many grayling on both the Yore and Wharfe— all
depends however on the fly being dressed very neat and fine. Body, a fine shred
from the yellowish quill of a thrush's wing ; legs, a grizzled blue dun cock's hackle ;
under wings, starling's feather, used sparingly, and above them two fine slips of hen
blackbird's wing. The late James Ogden, of Cheltenham, who was a veteran angler,
sent me, about three or four years ago, some patterns of this fly, which he had copied,
from nature, and very excellent imitations they were. Jackson alludes to it as the
small Willow Fly. Wade, in Halcyon, styles it the Spanish Needle, but Ronald's, in
his standard work on Flies, does not mention it at all ; it kills well in September and
October, when I prefer it dressed hacklewise with a feather from inside of a snipe's
wing, using yellow silk, with a little mole's fur for body.

* " Full length" is the length from the nose to the ends of the folded wings,
where they lie close over the back like the stone fly, &c., and extend beyond the end
of the body.

"Length" is the length of the flies in parts of an inch, measured from the
extremity of the face or nose to the end of the body.

c

12 LIST OF FLIES.

wings near a quarter, which close very small over the body
with a brown horny shine upon them ; of lighter or darker
shade, and dim transparency * shoulders and body dark
brown and shiny. Some shew orange at the joints, thighs,
legs, and feelers, from a light fleshy grizzle to a dark, red
brown, dim transparency.

This is their winter appearance ; as the season advances
they vary from this description in both sizes and colors ; in
April they come out of the water in great numbers, and
when just hatched, their legs are of a hair-like fleshy
grizzle, and their folded wings a glossy steely blue, and bloa
transparency ; the females have a dim orange line running
down the back ; when in full perfection their bodies are a
rich orange color, with a black spot on each joint, along
each side, which indicates their time of breeding, when
their full length is three-eighths and some to half an inch ;
they are the smallest of the brown class, and the most
durable of all angling flies ; they are hatching nearly
throughout the year, and are the flyfisher's daily com-
panion ; in severe frosts the warm sun draws them out and
enables them to take wing ; they increase as the summer
advances, and in autumn are the most numerous of all the
aquatic flies, and are excellent for grayling and smelt to
the end, when they are left alone to face the rigours of
winter. On the Nidd they call them the Spanish Needle,
from their steely hue and small lengthy appearance. Some,
probably the males, leave the water when their wings are
only in the bud, and may often be seen this month and
next, running on the tops of posts and large stones, by the
water sides, when the sun shines warm upon them.

Their bodies are imitated with fine bright orange or
yellow silk, more or less waxed, shoulders darkest ; various
feathers are used to represent the wings ; bloa from under*
the judcock or snipe ; brown from the water rail or swift ;
purple from the cock pheasant's neck ; and fye blue grizzle

FEBRUARY. 13

from the rump of the fieldfare, dressed hackle-wise, with a
few fibres of fine fleshy grizzle hair or fur wrought in at
the breast, but all must be very small.

2ND. — THE EARLY BROWN2 (dark or winter brown)—
full length, near or about five-eighths of an inch ; length,
from three-eigths to three-eighths and one-sixteenth ; wings
and feelers near half an inch ; head, shoulders, and body, a
dark brown soil color ; legs and thighs a dark red brown
dim transparency ; - wings, when folded, have a dark brown
grizzly hue and horny shine upon them, broken with dark
veins, and three or four wavy stripes across, of a darker
shade, which are more or less visible ; the under sides
dark, when looked through singly to the light are of a dim
brown transparency, shewing the dark veins. They com-
mence hatching the beginning of this month, and continue
to the end of April.

Body, head, and shoulders, orange silk, waxed ; feathers
for wings from under the wing of the woodcock, of double
shade of color, with a few fibres of dark red brown mohair
wrought in at the breast for legs.

SRD. — THE LITTLE EARLY BROWN. — Full length, three-
eighths to half an inch ; feelers and whisks, one-eighth to
one-fourth ; head, shoulders, breast, and body, dark brown,
and rather shiny, with a slight down upon them, which
reflects in the sun a deep gild ; feelers, legs, and thighs, a
dark, dim, red brown transparency, with faint deep gilded
reflection ; folded wings, a grizzly brown hue, veined, and
of a brown transparency. They are broader than the needle
brown, and probably males to the early brown ; they hatch
the beginning of this month, and continue through April.

Hackled with a feather from under the swift's wing ;

(2) A favourite early spring trout fly among Yorkshire anglers, and usually
denominated by them " Woodcock and Orange." Jackson calls it the " Little Brown,"
and his dressing is essentially the same as the author's,

14 LIST OF FLIES.

body, orange silk, waxed, with a few fibres of red brown
mohair at the breast.

4TH.— EARLY SPINNER.— Full length, near three-eighths;
length, better than one-fourth ; wings, full one-fourth, fine
and clear, veined lengthways, and tinged light brown;
thighs and legs long and small, of a dull reddish trans-
parency; is a very slender fly; hatches this month, and
continues through April ; body and shoulders a light leady
grey color.

Winged or hackled with a feather in the redwing's wing ;
body, yellowish, ashy silk ; legs, a dark red brown hackle ;
must be dressed very small and slender.

5TH. — G-RAVEL SPINNER3 (Spider Fly). — Full length,
about a quarter of an inch; wings lie one upon another
over the back, and extend a little beyond the body ; they
are fine and clear, but when closed have a darkish blue
shine upon them; body, a dark ashy, leaden hue, rather
lighter at the joints ; legs, a dark grizzly brown dim trans-
parency ; is a thicker fly than the early spinner, and much
darker in color. Commence hatching this month.

Body, lead or ashy colored silk ; winged or hackled with
a starling's feather or the blue bloa of a crow, with a few
fibres of dark brown mohair at the breast.

This description is of the early hatchings of the gravel
spinners, just after they come out of the water. In the
beginning of May they assemble together in great numbers,
on dry sand beds by the water sides, where they may be

(3) Mr. Ronalds speaks very highly of this fly, which is however not found
upon all streams. I have generally found it kill best under the conditions named
by him, viz., in May (the latter part) when the weather is bright and the water low
and clear. Mr. Aldam, in his unique work on artificial flies, recommends for the
wings a covert feather outside a woodcock's wing, next to the quill feather, and this
imitates the natural fly very well. The same authority also states that this fly, in
its earlier stage of existence, is not known much to the fish, but that later in the
season, when it has grown larger and richer in colour, it is taken with avidity both
by trout and grayling, the latter fish however not being fit to take at that season of
the year.

FEBRUARY. 15

seen in quick rambling motion. Their full length is then
three-eighths to three-eighths and one-sixteenth ; length,
three-eighths ; wings, three-eighths, which, when folded,
lie one upon the other over the back, and extend a little
beyond the end of the body ; they are then of a brown
tinge and transparency, with dark veins ; head, shoulders,
and body, a dark leady color; a glass shews a few fine
short hairs or down on the body, which reflects in the sun
copper or gild ; legs, a dark brown dim transparency — the
hind ones five-eighths in length. They are out from morn-
ing until near night ; and are excellent flies during their
existence, which may be until near the end of spring.

They are usually hackled with a feather out of the wood-
cock's wing, lead colored silk, and legged with a black red
hackle or coppery silk, tinged with water rat and a few
fibres of red brown mohair, but must be made smart and
fine.

GTH.— THE BED BROWN.'— Full length from half an inch
and one-sixteenth to five-eighths ; length, better than three-
eighths ; feelers, three-eighths to half an inch ; wings, near
half an inch, which are of a light red brown ground, broken
with veins of darker, and three faint fleecy patches of
darker shade, which run across, the most distinct in the

(4) The author, in the index of flies, terms this the " Coch-y-bondhu of Wales,"
an error on his part, as the latter is intended for an imitation of the " Fern Web, or
Bracken Clock," a small beetle which abounds during the warm sunny weather of
June and July, whereas the " Red Brown " is evidently synonymous with the " Bed
Fly" of Ronalds, the " February Red" of Francis, and the fly which is termed the
" March Brown " in some parts of Derbyshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, and which
is fully described by Mr. Aldam ; he gives two patterns of this fly, one for its first
appearance and the other when it becomes lighter , further on in the season as described
above by the author. Since I gave these two patterns a trial, I have had recourse
to no other, always finding them kill when the natural fly is on the water, I there-
fore append them both. First pattern : — wings from the outside feather of a par-
tridge's tail ; legs, a feather from a jenny wren's tail ; body, medium shade of orange
tying silk, and the red-brown fur from back of a fox's ear. Second pattern :—
dressed as a hackle fly with the grey mottled feather from the butt of a woodcock's
wing, and lightish brown floss silk ; Mr. Aldam adds that the latter named feathers
must be procured from the large birds, and that there are not more than ten suit-
able feathers in each wing.

16 LIST OF FLIES.

middle. As the summer advances they grow lighter in
shade ; the under side of the folded wings of some appear
as light as the outer skin of a dried onion ; when looked
through singly to the light, the red brown tinge is faint,
and all the fly appears of a light red or amber dim trans-
parency, brightening with light ; head, shoulders, and body,
a light red brown, with touches of darker shade ; legs and
thighs a dim pale-ale transparency ; the males are less, and
their colors rather darker. They commence hatching about
the middle of this month ; when they are darkest in color ;
and continue to the end of April. They are fine trout flies,
and in March and April very numerous.

Wings, from the landrail, or a slightly broken feather
from a light freckled brown hen, or selected from the brown
owl ; orange or yellow silk for body, with a few fibres of
mohair or squirrel's fur at the breast, in imitation of the
legs.

NOTE FOR FEBRUARY. — These are the earliest hatchings
of the aquatic angling flies, and the first of the season to
raise and cheer the lone trout — the harbingers of his better
days ; the warm sun draws out the firstlings of these hardy
families ; and they increase in numbers as the season
advances, and the weather permits. They may be fished,
especially the browns, in the middle of the day, when the
weather and water permits, with the black, silver, and
golden hackles.

MAECH.

MARCH brightens the dark brows of old winter — the sun's
increasing power confronts resisting frosts and storms ; and
in the strife of elements, their subtle agent, the shifty wind,
blusters or breathes their mute decrees — if his bright eye
illumine the eastern horizon, chill winter yet prevails —

MARCH. 17

still, sol's charioteer drives on, animating and restoring
with new life, and often

Trout rise voracious in the wild March day,
And hungry homer in the snow storms prey ;
Smelt sports in his prime, his second winter past ;
Flies follow flies in thick succession fast ;
Nature revives ; animation crowds the land ;
And the sport lengthens as the days expand.

TTH. — THE EARLY DUN. — Full length from three-eighths
to half an inch ; length, one-fourth and one-sixteenth ;
feelers, three-eighths ; the closed wings are brown, of the
cinnamon cast, which, with the head, are laid and fringed
with a fine down, which glistens in the sun with coppery
and gilded reflections ; there are some with lighter marks or
staddles, on the top parts of the wings, and light spots
round the end. The body is a copper bottom, tinged on
the back and belly with light purple or blue dun, leaving a
line of lighter on each side, which is characteristic of most
of the duns ; legs, a light reddish brown dim transparency.
They hatch the beginning of this month ; and are out in
the afternoon and evenings of warm days — their eggs are a
cream color.

Winged with slips from a feather from an old bronzed
brown hen, or selected from the brown owl ; legged with a
few fibres of gingery squirrel's fur or mohair \ body, copper
colored silk, tinged with water-rat's blue fur.

8TH. — BLUE DRAKE5 (blue dun). — Length, near three-

(5) Few of the aquatic insects bear a higher reputation among anglers than
this fly, which is found upon almost every river in England ; it is called by a variety
of names, according to the district, the "Blue Dun," or the "Blue Upright," being
perhaps the most general title for it. It varies much in shade of colour, according
to the weather, and therefore three or four different patterns should be kept in the
fly book ; Jackson styles it the " Olive Bloa," and in practice I have generally found
either his pattern or else that given by Mr. Francis in his Book on Angling the best
to depend on ; nearly all the patterns of this fly that are sold in the shops are far too
rough in the body, which is in reality smooth, and ringed in alternate shades of dark
and light olive. Mr. Cummins, the well-known practical angler, of Bishop Auck-
land, dresses a pattern which he calls the " Blue Dun Spider," intended to represent
a drowned fly, and on cold windy days in early spring it answers admirably, as I can
testify to from experience.

18 LIST OF FLIES.

eighths • wings, three-eighths ; whisks, a quarter to half an
inch, with two small short feelers ; top of head, shoulders,
and down the back a bluish ashy hue, of lighter or darker
shade, upon an orange bottom ; rather lighter along the
sides ; along the breast and belly, and on the edges of each
joint ; thighs, a light grizzly hair-like transparency, with a
gleam of amber, and darkening to the feet. Wings, faintly
veined, longitudinally, and of a dim transparency of a fine
smoky blue tinge. When the fly is held to the light, its
tinges and reflections are of a light grizzly blue cast.

Slips for wings are generally selected from those of the
starling ; body, orange silk, tinged and dyed with fox-cub
down, and two or three fibres of amber mohair.

The blue drake hatches the first of the drake tribes —
commencing last month, if the weather be open ; and it is
very probable she continues through the season ; she hatches
on fine days, in good numbers, from nine or ten in the
morning to three or four in the afternoon, and continues a
favorite leader through the spring. Like all the drakes,
she is most successful when fished in her natal garb, at the
time she is hatching ; she is a hardy fly, and will hatch in
cold weather, if it be tolerably dry and open, when there
is often good sport, for the flies are benumbed with the cold,
and cannot clear the water, which is their natural propen-
sity to do as soon as they are hatched, and the fishes avail
themselves of it. The blue drake is darkest when first
hatched, and soon casts her skin, when she is altogether of
a lighter shade and smarter fly — she also casts it and
becomes the orange drake.

9TH. — ORANGE DRAKES — Dimensions about the same as

(6) This fly is the imago of the " Blue Dun," and generally known to the craft
as the " Red Spinner," but being of the same shape as its pseudo-imago, the author
classes it among the drakes. After a slight shower, the fish frequently rise with
great eagerness at this fly, the evening being the best time to employ the imitation.
Hardly any of the writers on fly fishing agree with respect to the wings, which are
so glassy and transparent as to render their successful imitation a matter of con-

MARCH. 19

the blue drake, but more smart and slim in its appearance,
and altogether of an orange color ; tinged dusk on the top
of the head, shoulders, and down the back ; wings, clear
and sparkling, with orange reflections.

Body, orange or yellow silk, with orange or golden tinged
cock's hackle, for wings and legs.

10TH. — GOLDEN LEGG'D BEETLE.' — Full length, about
a quarter ; outsides all black and shiny ; legs, a barley
sugar color and transparency, which, in some, sparkle in
the sun with brilliant glistening^ of pale gold ; the under
wings are soft, fine, and transparent, tinged with the color
of the legs. They are bred in the water, and come out the
beginning of this month, and take wing on fine days
through the season. They may be found under loose stones
by the water sides.

Wings, from the gilded feather in the magpie's tail;
body, a strand or two of the same ; legged with a few fibres
of honey or gold colored mohair.

HTH. — TORTOISE SHELL BEETLE. — Full length, about a
quarter ; top wings, brown, with four marks or spots of a
lighter shade, and, when looked through to the light resemble
the lights and darks of tortoise shell ; body, dark brown ;
thighs, an amber or dull ale colored transparency, darken-
ing to the feet. They are bred in the water, and may be
found with the preceding beetle to the end of the season, but

siderable difficulty ; the dressing given above by the author certainly comes nearer
the mark than the feathers of mallard, inside of jay's wing, brown owl, etc., recom-
mended by other writers, but I do not agree with his views respecting the body of
the fly, which should be made very thin and slender, with ruddy brown silk, ribbed
with fine gold wire ; the spinners vary in colour and size quite as much as the duns,
consequently a good supply of the various shades should always be at hand in case
of emergency.

(7) These two, the " Golden-legged Beetle," and the " Tortoise Shell Beetle,"
are probably analogous with the " Peacock Fly " of Ronalds, and the "Little Chap "
mentioned by Mr. Aldam, also the fancy Derbyshire fly known as the "Bumble," all
of which are first-rate flies for grayling during the autumn months.

20 LIST OF FLIES.

are not so numerous — query, are they male and female ?
Wings, slips from a rankly freckled feather from the
woodcock, moorcock, or snipe ; body, orange silk or mag-
pie's gilded harl, with a few fibres of amber mohair, or
squirrel's fur at the breast, in imitation of the legs.

12TH. — HERON SPINNER." — Full length, about one-eighth
and one-sixteenth ; length, about the same ; wings, one-
eighth ; when they come out of the water their colors reflect
the ashy blue shades of the heron, which, with their shape,
brings that bird to mind ; the wings are very fine and clear,
they slant down the sides, similar to the duns, but they are
rounded on the top edges, and, when looked down upon,
appear of a fine rich blue color ; thighs, a pale, dim yellow
transparency, darkening to the feet; their shoulders are
round ; body small, and legs long ; with a small brush at
the nose. As the season advances they become yellower ;
they come out of the water in great numbers this month
and next, and may be found under stones close by its side,
and on spider webs. They are good for old smelt.

Dressed very fine, with small, pale yellow silk ; wings,
from the blue feather of a kingfisher, or blue titmouse;
legs, pale yellow mohair.

13TH. — ROYAL CHARLIE.' — Full length, about half an
inch ; length, a quarter to a quarter and one-sixteenth ;
wings, three-eighths, which, when closed, are of a light
ashy ground, broken and crossed into checker work, with
dark veins, the under sides glossy, dark and woody ; when
held to the light, the ground is clear ; the dark veins of the
top ones are back shaded with darker, and there are faint
cloudy patches of the same hue ; shoulders, head, and body,

(8)- Too diminutive to be of any practical use to the fly fisher.

(9) Not mentioned by any other authority, but as stated above is a good killer
on small moorland streams. I prefer it myself dressed hackle wise, with feather from
a partridge and crimson silk, and in this form it is, I believe, held in high estimation
by fiyfishers on the river Eden during the early spring months.

MARCH. 21

dark brown, and shiny, which in the females become more
or less orange ; thighs and legs, a tortoise shell mixture of
light orange and dark brown ; the dark at the joints.
Hatches in good numbers this month, and is an excellent
day fly into May.

Head, shoulders, and body, orange silk, more or less
waxed ; wings, a partridge grey feather from the side of
the breast, that is tinged brown ; legged with a freckled
hackle from a red or yellow-dun hen. The following arti-
ficial fly, called the Royal Charlie, and which named the
above, has been proved a good fly in the Laver, where the
Royal Charlie is numerous, and perhaps represents them.
Crimson silk, head, shoulders, and body, with a small piece
of macaw's scarlet feather at the last joint ; black hackle
for legs, and wings from the mottled tail feather of a par-
tridge

14TH. — Cow DUNG™ (or lion fly). — Full length, from
three-eighths to half an inch ; length, near three-eighths ;
wings, a quarter to three-eighths, which are thin and trans-
parent, of a red brown to an orange tinge, towards the
shoulders ; the top of the head and shoulders reflect shades
of ash brown and orange, with black bristle-like hairs on
the shoulders ; body and thighs appear dusky, in a covering
of fine short hair of an orange or gold color ; breast and
sides of shoulders hairy, and of the same hue; the cheeks
of some look as if gilded ; eyes red brown ; legs a dim
orange transparency, set with a few small black hairs.

Orange silk with gold colored mohair and squirrel's fur,
mixed, for body ; wings, from the landrail ; yellow, or
ambry hen hackle, for legs.

The cowdung flies are bred on land, and are exceedingly

(10) This fly is of little service to the angler, excepting on very windy days,
and even under those circumstances it is no particular favourite of mine, never hav-
ing done much execution with it; it is however named by most writers on angling,
and the dressings given by them vary but little from that of the author's.

22 LIST OF FLIES.

numerous, in the fields among the grass, to the end of the
season. They are a savage fly, preying upon others \ and
from their strong shoulders, black bristly mane, and tawny
hide, might be called the lion fly. They fly much about,
and are often blown, or fall casually, on the waters, when
their rich colors, reflections, and size, are natural and attrac-
tive to fish. They are most conspicuous this month and
next, and from September to the end.

15TH. — THE BROWN DRAKEH (March brown). — Length,
near or about half an inch ; wings, half an inch to five-
eighths, which are of a dim light brown ground, broken
with strong dark lines from the shoulders, crossed with
fine ones, and cloudy patches a shade or two darker run
across ; top of head, shoulders, and down the back, a light
ashy brown, touched with darker, upon an amber bottom,
showing a line of lighter along each side, and around the
lower edge of each joint ; a slanting dark line crosses each,
joint along the sides ; breast and belly, a light shade of
brown of an ambry tinge ; legs and whisks, a light ambry
brown dim transparency.

Wings, a feather from under the wing of the hen pheasant;
body, yellow silk, with a few fibres of light fur from a hare's
ear, wrought in at the breast.

The brown drake commences hatching the latter end of

(11) In speaking about the " March Brown," it is always well to first ascertain
which fly is really meant, the " Brown Drake," as it is styled by the author, or pat-
tern No. 6 in this work, which, as I have previously stated in my notes on that fly,
is also called the " March Brown " in some districts ; Mr. Aldam distinguishes them
by calling the " Red Brown " the local " March Brown," and the " Brown Drake "
the " March Brown of Great Britain ; " Jackson names it the " Great Brown," and
some Yorkshire anglers the " Dun Drake," while in Wales it is called the " Cob
Fly ; " this fly is a great favourite with the fish when it is on the water, in fact, I
have seen fish killed with it until the end of June; the female is a lighter fly, of a
more olive tinge than the male, and during its season I have generally found it
answer well to use one of each pattern at the same time. The following is Mr.
Ronalds' pattern for the female fly, which he has observed come upon the water a
few days later than the males. Body, pale olive green wool, ribbed with fine gold
twist ; legs, a honey dun hackle, that is less bright than a golden dun ; wings,
upright from the quill feather out of the middle of a hen pheasant's wing.

MARCH. 23

this month, if the weather be very favorable. She is a
favorite leader with the craft through the spring ; next in
size and importance to the head of her class, the fairy queen
or green drake, to whom she resigns her supremacy ; she
casts the brown badge and becomes the brilliant amber
drake, or the largest of the red drakes, erroneously called
spinners.

16TH.— AMBER DRAKE. «— Size of the brown drake;
wings clear and sparkling, with red and amber tinges and
reflections ; body, a rich orange or amber color ; the dark
marks and slanting dark lines on the sides, distinct and
clear, of a dark red brown color ; legs and whisks a dim
amber transparency ; eyes dark. Is the most splendid in
colors of any of the drakes, and may sometimes be seen
almost as large as the grey drake.

Body, bright orange or yellow silk, with eight or nine
open rounds of dark red brown wound upon it; winged
and legged with a red or amber cock's hackle, with a few
fibres of amber mohair wrought in at the breast.

17TH.™ LIGHT BROWN. — Full length, near or about five-
eighths, or about the same as the dark brown, which the
craft distinguish by "inside and outside of woodcock ;" top
of head and shoulders, dark and shiny ; body and breast
darkest brown, which becomes more orange ; thighs and
legs a dull ale transparency, dark at the joints ; the closed
wings appear of a light brown ground, broken with veins ;
and four fleecy stripes across, of a darker shade. When
looked through are of a light bloaish brown dim trans-
parency. Commences hatching this month and continues
into summer.

(12) " Great Bed Spinner " of Ronalds and Francis ; " Great Spinner " of Jack-
son ; this imago of the "Brown Drake" in common with that of the " Blue and
Yellow Duns," is an excellent evening fly during its season especially after slight
showers. This fly is also known as the "Light Mackerel" on some rivers.

24 LIST OF FLIES.

Legged and winged with a feather from outside of wood-
cock's wing, and orange silk for body ; and a few fibres of
mohair or squirrel's fur for legs.

18TH.— BLACK FLY (or midge).— Full length, about one-
eighth ; shape of the house fly, but rather darker, and folds
the wings one over the other ; are very numerous through
the season, among the grass, &c., being bred on land, and
may often come on the water ; but their diminutive size ren-
ders them of little use to the flyfisher. Material for imitation
similar to those of the house fly, but much smaller in size.

NOTE FOR MARCH. — The sudden changes of this fitful
month sometimes conduce to the success of the hardy fly-
fisher, that bides the pelting of the pitiless storm — the
aquatic flies hatch in fine mornings in increasing numbers, but
if cold gusty storms come on they are benumbed and readily
nipped up by hungry grayling or the half-fed trout; they have
tasted of top food, and a natural fly on the water rarely
escapes them. All the browns mentioned, and the blue
drake, are good for this month, every day the weather will
allow them to hatch or come upon the waters. The needle
dark brown and blue dun are the hardiest, and will bear
cold weather the best. The red browns become most
numerous, and with the dark browns, are in full force,
hatching and breeding. The light brown and Eoyal Charlie
are favorite trout flies, and all new comers soon become
known to the fish, and their favorites should be met on
their first appearance, which shall be noted each month, as
near as observation warrants ; for the fish will naturally
taste the various flies that offer themselves, and feed on
those they like best. These flies, which are all aquatic
except the cow dung, form nearly all the top food of the
fish at this part of the season ; for the land flies and insects
have scarce come into being, or are so numerous as to come
upon the waters. They may be fished with the black, sil-
ver, and golden hackle, during the middle hours of the day.

APRIL. 25

APRIL.

SOL wins the ascendency, and blunts the sharp teeth of
rebellious winds — withered winter vanishes in flowery green
and woodland music — the welcome swallow halts on her
native chimney, while thick around descend the vital sparks.
Stick to the streams fisherman, while spring invigorates the
game. Trout squats by sharp streams and in ambush
checks the rapids, hungry and bold he dashes unerring at
the passing fly. Grayling woo in the gravelly draws —
disturb or take them not. The royal samlet deserts the
narrow limits of his native home, and joins in shoals to
seek dominion in encircling seas. The waters pour their
winged progeny into air. Among the rest, fishermen !
take heed ! the imperial Empress comes.

19TH. — MOTTLED BROWN. — Full length, about half an
inch ; length, better than a quarter ; wings, near three-
eighths, which when folded, appear of a red brown ground
veined and spotted, or mottled with darker, like the
feathers in a partridge's tail ; shoulders and body darkish
brown ; legs, a tortoise shell mixture, dark at the joints ;
is hatching this month and continues through the next.

Body, shoulders, and head, orange silk ; wings and legs
a partridge's tail feather, red, spotted with darker.

20TH. — HOUSE FLY.13 — Full length near three-eighths;
length, a quarter; wings, a quarter, which are clear and
transparent, of a brown tinge ; eyes large and brown, set
in a rim of silver ; shoulders, a mixture of dark stone and

(13) Jackson does not give the imitation of this fly until October, and Mr.
Francis mentions tLe fact that the fish take them more readily in the autumn, as
they then become weak and blind, and fall upon the water ; both this and the follow-
ing fly are, however, most effective when used in the natural state, large dishes of
fish being sometimes caught in bright summer weather by dibbing with it on the
finest drawn gut behind bushes, etc., on the deeps of trout rivers ; some anglers are
great adepts at this style of fishing, but I must confess that it is a branch of the art
for which I care little, and rarely adopt, unless compelled by force of circumstances.

26 LIST OF FLIES.

brown; body, stone color, which, with the shoulders are
hairy, and reflect in the sun tints of various colors — blue,
green, etc. Thighs and feet dark brown ; legs, a dim ale
transparency set with small black hairs. This is a descrip-
tion of a fine one taken in a wood by the Ure side ; they
vary in their sizes and colors. They are bred on land, and
are out in great numbers every day from morning till
night throughout the season, and are well taken by the fish
whenever they come upon the waters.

Hackled with a blackbird's feather for wings and legs ;
body, brimstone colored silk, with a small portion of fine
black hair or fur, worked in.

2 IST.— BLUE BOTTLEH (or flesh fly).— Full length, half
an inch or better ; length, three-eighths ; wings, three-
eighths, which are clear and glassy, of a darkish blue tinge,
a point of light stone or bees' wax color at the setting on
of the wings ; head, shoulders, and body, a rich dark glossy
blue, with rich reflections, and shifting shades of light blue,
etc., which are thinly set with dark blue or black hairs.
Eyes, brown ; nose, cheeks, and chin, a light bees' wax hue,
with deep reflections ; legs and breast, blue black, and
hairy. During the season they are found of various shades,
some, top of shoulders and the back, checkered with squares
of dim stone, mingled with blue and bright, with moving
shades and rich reflections. They are land flies, breeding
daily throughout the season, and are out from morning till
night. They are not much used artificially; their larvae,
the maggot, is a well known natural bait.

They may be imitated with threads of light and dark
blue shining silk or Alpaca wool, wound on the arming, for

(14) The best imitation of this fly that ever I saw was sent to me some years
ago by the late Mr. James Ogden, of Cheltenham : the body was formed of some kind
of blue tinfoil, warped with black harl and purple silk, this, combined with wings
from a jay's feather, made up an exact imitation of the fly, and I caught some
good dishes of grayling with it both on the Yore and Wharfe.

APRIL. 27

body, shoulders, and head ; fastened at the head with orange
or yellow silk ; hackled with a cock pheasant's purple neck
feather, for wings and legs.

The fly from the clapbait is exactly of the same shape as
the blue bottle, but larger, and near the same color, except
the wings, which are orange at the shoulders, and the
cheeks brilliantly gilded.

22ND.— GRANNAM15 (or greentail).— Full length, about
half an inch ; length, a quarter and one-sixteenth, which
appears longer when the female has her cluster of green
eggs about the end. Wings, three-eighths and one six-
teenth ; top ones downy, of a light rusty brown tinge and
transparency, with faint freckles of darker shade. Head,
shoulders, body, legs, and feelers, coppery brown, with a
blue tinge on the back and belly ; eyes, dark. Commences
hatching last month and continues into May. She is one
of the cod bait or light colored tribe of duns, and shews
herself more in daylight than some others of her class ;
hatching in the forenoons, and sporting in small groups
over the waters in the afternoon and towards evening.
Several species of the duns, the dotterell, black dun, etc.,
come out and sport over the waters from five to near sun-
set, when other species make their appearance.

Winged with slips from a feather out of a partridge or
hen pheasant's wing ; body, coppery silk, tinged with water-
rat's blue fur ; with a few fibres of mohair to imitate the
legs ; or winged and legged with a landrail, or slightly
freckled feather from a light red brown hen.

(15) This fly appears in April, but has been noticed by Mr. Francis on the
water as late as July, and Mr. Eonalds states that he has taken them from the
stomach of a trout even in August. I once myself saw a dish of ten fine trout taken
from the river Wharf e by this fly in July, but from personal experience I cannot say
very much in favour of it, having only caught a few odd fish now and then with its
imitation. It is not met with on every stream, and even on the rivers where it is
found it appears in a very erratic manner— some seasons the water being covered
with them for a week or ten days, and perhaps the next year only two or three flies
are to be seen. Jackson remarks that the fish take it as early as six o'clock, a.m.
D

28 LIST OF FLIES.

23RD. — THE SPINNER. — Length, half an inch or better,
of which the body is three-eighths ; wings, five-eighths,
clear and tinged brown, with a scroll of dark and light near
the ends ; top of shoulders and body brown ; a round spot
of lighter shade on the top of each joint, running down the
back, which is flanked on each side by one of darker.
Sides of shoulders and breast mingled light and dark brown,
lead, ash, and azure; thighs, a dim brown transparency,
darkening down the legs, which are very long. There is a
smaller species nearly the same colors ; numerous on fogs and
grass in September and October.

Body, light brown or fawn colored silk, or even woollen
thread, tinged with a mixture of ash, blue, and azure fur
at the shoulders, on a pale yellow bottom. Wings from a
feather out of a partridge or hen pheasant's wing ; legs, a
black brown cock's hackle.

The spinners are often numerous on the banks of the
streams at this part of the season ; in the warm months
they are larger in size and more brilliant in colors ; when
their length and wings is five-eighths or better ; and the
hind legs of some two inches ; top of shoulders and body
a brown ash or reflective fawn color, in some lighter at the
joints, others uniform ; the sides of shoulders are a rich
light blue and azure, touched with ash, upon a pale yellow
bottom — which shew, with the thighs, a rich dim trans-
parency, of a light amber shade, darkening down the legs.
The wings a fine rufous brown tinge and transparency, with
dark veins. In autumn they are exceedingly numerous,
and appear to breed on land and in the water, for they are
very often rank by the water sides and also in grass fields,
particularly in low swampy parts. They are good natural
baits in summer and autumn.

24TH.— THE STONE FLY.16— The full length of a fine

(16) The imitation of this, the largest of aquatic insects, is of little practical
use to the angler, excepting in rough water on a windy day, but I do not know finer

APRIL. 29

female is near an inch and a quarter ; length near or about
seven-eighths; feelers and whisks, three-eighths; wings, one
inch ; the hind legs, which are the longest, are fully five-
eighths ; the diameter across the belly is near one-eighth
and one-sixteenth, and full that at the shoulders, where the
wings are set on. The foundation color is orange or yel-
low, darkened on the upper and prominent parts with
brown ; the forehead, top and sides of shoulders, a dark
tortoise-shell mixture of orange and brown ; body, yellow ;
each joint uniformly marked at the top and sides with
brown ; throat, breast, and belly, dull yellow, with faint
touches of brown ; legs, feelers, and whisks, a lightish
brown and dim transparency. Top wings, when closed,
shew veiny, of a brown grizzly hue and horny shine ; when
looked through to the light, are a dim transparency of a
light brown tinge, shewing the dark veins ; eyes, dark.

She is imitated with brown bear's hair and yellow cam-
let. Body, yellow camlet, with eight or nine" open rounds
of dark brown floss silk, or camlet thread, warped over it ;
head and shoulders yellow camlet, darkened on the upper
parts, etc., with the brown bear's hair ; wings selected from
the feather of a wild drake, partridge, or hen pheasant ;
legged with hair or a stiff hen hackle.

sport than fishing with it in its natural state ; the very finest tackle must be
employed ; I prefer myself two small fly hooks tied a little above one another, at the
end of about three yards of fine drawn gut, but some anglers employ a larger hook,
having a stiff bristle tied in with it, and projecting at the top to keep the fly in its
place ; the angler must wade carefully up stream, casting his fly vrith precision
behind stones or any other obstruction in the water, letting it float naturally round
eddies so caused, or down the edge of rough streams, in fact wherever there is the
chance of a trout being on the watch ; in some parts of Yorkshire it is called the
"May Fly," causing no little confusion, as in other districts that title is awarded to
the " G-reen Drake," but as the latter is seldom on the water until June, I consider
it is more appropriate when applied to the " Stone Fly." The creeper or larva of
this insect appears in April, and is equally as deadly a bait as the fly itself , especially
if the water be low and clear ; the same tackle as is used for the fly will do for
creeper fishing, but in rough streams a single split shot should be added, as the fish
take this bait below the surface ; the angler must wade up stream, and cast his line
very carefully, otherwise the creepers, being exceedingly tender, his bait will want
renewing at almost every cast, and he will find it to his advantage not to neglect
the thin open water at the head and edges of the streams.

30 LIST OF FLIES.

The stone fly brood commence hatching the beginning of
May, and continue for three or four weeks — the time when
they may be got — and by the middle of July the generation
is swept off for the year. Some few, which are generally
rather less in size, hatch this month in advance of the main
body — which generally appear in these waters about the
eighth of May ; and the latest that have been seen were on
the fourteenth July — when the flyfisher may wish her good
bye. She is the head of her own class, and the Imperial
Empress of all trout flies ; her size and nutritious qualities,
whereof the trout feeds to satiety, and it is said perfects
his condition, has no equal. Her name is famous among
anglers, but few arrive to the extent of her merits. She
comes out of the water during the day, and creeps to con-
cealment under stones by its side — hence the origin of her
name, and where she may be found. Her grizzly brown
appearance is dull, and she is unseemly to the sight ; Nature's
brilliant touches are not there ; and, as if conscious of her
plainness, she shuns the light, and is seldom seen by day ;
after sunset she comes out, for her sports and enjoyments
are chiefly in the dusk and twilight of night and early morn,
the whole family are then in motion, flying about, running
among the stones, and paddling upon the wraters. It is
then she feeds the trout, and gives the last finish of per-
fection to that beautiful fish. Her unpolished colors are
the same as his ; she feeds him from her infancy : the
creeper at the bottom and the fly at the top of the water
are both his favorite food, and she unconsciously meets him
in the height of her pleasures and greatest numbers, at the
very time and place of his murderous prowl. It might seem
that our great Creator, amidst his animated masses, threw
in the sequestered devoted stone fly a peck for the trout, as
the burnisher of his beauties and his chief nourisher in life's
feast.

The stone fly is in general fished natural, for which her-

APRIL. 31

self, like all others, is the truest teacher. Unlike the green
drake that rarely uses her legs on the water, but moves
with the current, the stone fly seems at home on its surface,
she drops and runs upon it with the same ease and freedom
she does on the ground — trotting and making her way
across or down the streams, and lands where she lists, per-
fectly dry : it is thus she presents herself to the trout —
paddling in quick motion, lively and dry, in various direc-
tions on the water ; and the angler must present her to him
in the same way as near as he is able, with a tough springy
rod and a line about the same length, two-thirds of it fine
strong gut. Move, unseen, with easy motion up the stream,
and dab the fly with precision on the eddies behind stones,
or other places of succour where the trout takes his station ;
or let it glide free and natural down on the current over
his likely haunts ; never drag it against the stream (un-
natural for any fly), or suffer it to drown, but succour and
re3over it by easy lifts and gentle jerks, to keep it on the
water alive and dry, for a dead fly hanging at the hook like
a piece of wet moss will not be taken on the top, and a good
artificial will maintain its appearance better in the water.
No time need be lost, for the stroke of the trout is often
quicker than the falling of the fly : if he refuse at first
sight, he rarely stands bantering, try about, hit the mark,
and preserve the fly — be handy with the net, and days may
be seen for every fly a trout. Fish early and late, as dark-
ness will allow, and on drizzly days, which sometimes
brings the flies out. At times of flood, in May and June,
trout are very voracious, and screened by the thickness of
the water, cry havoc among minnows, bullheads, etc., but
when the flood has subsided and the waters are brown, the
stone fly comes in with great force. She is a true trier of
skill, and probably the best test of the general merits of the
flyfisher. Each rustic craftsman along the banks of the
winding streams, where the true art and science of flyfish-

32 LIST OF FLIES.

ing is best known and practised, greet with glee the presence
of the stone fly — she fills his pannier with the finest trout
— replenishes his pocket, his pipe, and his pot — then in the
village forum the happy angler sings and recounts achieve-
ments glorious —

" O'er a' the ills of life victorious."

Walbran, of Mickley, says he killed a trout about one and
three quarters pound weight, that had a hundred stone flies
in its stomach. The author killed one with the minnow
soon after sunset, in brown water, in the mill race above
Skellbank, which weighed near two pounds, and had in its
stomach four large bullheads and a great old mouse, which
all seemed as if just taken, but did not satisfy the trout,
for he ran twice at the minnow which cut short his evening
forage.

25TH. — THE MALE STONE FLY is less in size and rather
darker in color ; shews more gild in the sun, and is extra-
ordinarily quick on the legs, but short in the wings, which
do not reach the end of his body — probably to confine him
to his native element. The craft unanimously prefer the
female.

Materials for his imitation may be selected from those
for the female.

26TH. — BEE OR BANK FLY.17 — Full length, half an inch
or more ; length, from three-eighths to half an inch ; has
four narrow wings, a quarter and one-sixteenth, which fold
flat over the back, clear and tinged brown like those of the
honey bee, which the fly resembles. Head, shoulders,
belly, and legs hairy, of a red brown or hoary grey color ;
back, dark brown and shiny, with a ring of lighter on the

(17) Being in doubt concerning the identity of this fly, I asked Mr. Francis for
his opinion, which is that it is intended for the " Great Dark Drone " of Ronalds. I
should not be inclined to think its imitation would prove of much service to the
flyfisher unless employed for chub fishing.

APRIL. 33

edge of each joint. They breed in soil banks by the water
sides ; there are great numbers in the bank opposite Fisher-
green, which is full of their small holes. They come home
loaded, like bees, on the body and thighs, with what they
collect from flowers, which gives them a rich orange hue.
They continue nearly through the season, and are out from
morning till night.

Body, brown silk, dubbed and tinged with yellow fleshy
grizzle and hoary grey fine hair, or fur from the fox-cub,
squirrel, etc. \ blackbird's feather for wings ; and red brown
mohair or hen hackle for legs.

27TH.— IRON BLUE DRAKE. 18— Length, a quarter ; wings,
a quarter or better, of a dark blue bloa dim transparency.
Legs, whisks, and middle joints of the body are of a
light grey azure transparency ; head, shoulders, and end
joints, a dark brown. She hatches through the day, and
continues in succession nearly through the season. She is
a hardy little fly, a great favorite, and in good numbers on
the waters daily. She casts her skin and becomes the pearl
drake.

Dark brown silk for the head, shoulders, and two or
three last joints of the body, and light blue grey for the
middle joints; hackled with a water-rail or water-hen's
small leady breast feather, with a few fibres of light blue-
grey fur from the fox-cub, to imitate the legs.

28TH. — PEARL DRAKE. *» — Size same as the iron blue, but

(18) This fiy is indispensable to the angler, as when it is on the water the fish
will rarely look at any other ; Jackson styles it the " Pigeon Blue Bloa," but most
other authorities are unanimous in naming it the " Little Iron Blue," or " Iron Blue
Drake." Mr. Francis gives a most detailed and interesting account of it, and his
directions for its imitation are perhaps the best to be found. David Foster, the late
naturalist angler of Ashbourne-on-the-Dove, mentions the fact that on one occasion
he witnessed such a rise of this fly that in the distance it resembled a cloud of smoke.

(1 9) This is the imago of the preceding fly, and would be equally valuable to the
flyfisher if only a good imitation could be dressed, but the wings are so glassy and
transparent as to render that by no means an easy task ; the author's dressing for

34 LIST OF FLIES.

smarter, and a little more slim ; wings, sparkling and glassy,
with a light pearly tinge, or nearly colourless transparency.
Eyes, head, shoulders, and the end joints of the body, a fine
dark brown ; legs, whisks, and middle joints, a light pearl
transparency. They are out and assemble in groups every
day and evening to the end of autumn.

Fine coffee-brown silk for the brown parts, and white for
the pearl parts of the body ; winged and legged with a
glassy silvery cockV hackle.

29TH.— SplRALBROWNDRAKE(orCheckwing).a> — Length
three-eighths or better ; wings the same, of a light brown
ground, with strong longitudinal dark lines crossed into
squares, with small ones, which have named them. When
seen through a glass the lines are back shaded with darker,
like the Royal Charlie. Body, a darkish ashy brown, with
a ring of lighter on each joint, and a light line runs alnr.g
each side ; whisks and legs a bloa-brown dim transparency,
eyes, some goggling and some cased ; as the season advances
they shew distinctly the slanting dark lines along the sides,
similar to the brown drake.

Body, orange or yellow silk ; hackled, for wings and
legs, with a freckled-brown feather from the back or shoul-
der of a partridge, with a few fibres of hare's ear wrought
in at the breast.

it comes as near the mark as it is possible, but Mr. Aldam, who speaks very highly
of this fly, having had excellent sport with it on the Chatsworth waters in October,
1852, states that a good material with which to form the body is a horse hair of trans-
parent watery whiteness ; I have never found the imitation work well myself, even
when the fish have been feeding all over the river at the natural fly ; the above-
named authority, together with Mr. Francis and Ronalds, name this fly the "Jenny
Spinner," while Jackson styles it the " Little White Spinner."

(20) Although Mr. Ronalds treats this as a separate fly, under the name of the
" Turkey Brown," and Jackson as the " May Brown," I am strongly of opinion that
it is only a lighter shade and variety of the " March Brown ; " and thus the system
introduced by Mr. Francis, and also advocated by the late David Foster, of trc:i.t,iii£
the long lists of "Browns," " Bloas," "Duns," and "Spinners," issued by oilier
writers, as only different shades of one fly is gradually gaining ground, and very
rightly so, as it greatly simplifies the art of flyfishing, and does not confuse the mind
of the beginner by an almost endless list of names.

APRIL. 35

The checkwing varies from this description, as will be
seen afterwards, for she continues into October ; in the
warm months she nearly equals in size the March brown,
and is as fine and bulky a fly. The principal distinction is
the clouded wing of the March brown, which the pheasant's
feather has long represented, and the partridge brown for
the trellised wings of the checkwing. From time out of
mind they have been great favorites with the craft — yclept
" hare's ear and yellow."

30TH. — RED DRAKE (or great red spinner).21 — Size of
checkwing but smarter ; long fore legs, long whisks ; win^s
glassy and transparent, crossed into squares, sparkling with
red reflections ; body, a red or ambry dim transparency,
tinged darker on the upper parts and along the sidrs.
Legs and whisks a red dim transparency ; eyes round and
goggling or cased. Are out in groups in the evenings.

Red cock's hackle with orange silk.

31ST.— BLACK SPINNER (or gnat).— Full length, short of
a quarter; length, one-eighth to one-eighth and one-six-
teenth ; round thick shoulders ; body tapering to a point,
of a dark brown leady or black color. Some shew faint
reflections in the sun. Wings transparent, of a slight brown
or neutral tinge.

Black silk and starling's small feather. This little aquatic
comes out of the water the beginning of this month, and
increases daily to immense numbers ; it is often the leading
favorite of the fish, and as often the pest of the flyfisher.
They are out all day, mustering exceedingly numerous in
the evenings until dusk, and continue through summer.

(21 ) " Great Spinner" of Jackson, " Great Bed Spinner " or " Light Mackerel "
of Ronalds; this is the imago of the "March Brown," and is a fine, large, showy
looking fly, but owing to thfe distance that it flies above the surface of the water does
not, often become food for the fish, at least I have never found the artificial kill nearly
so well as the lesser spinner of the " Blue Dun," or the corresponding transformation
of the " Yellow Dun."

36 LIST OF FLIES.

They wing and wheel over the whole face of the water in
dry and warm times, rousing the fish ; when the best imit-
ation cannot work. Like the small midge and gnat tribes,
they may trifle away time, but do little for the pannier.

32ND. — BLOA BROWN. — Full length, near or about half
an inch ; length, three-eighths ; wings, three-eighths, which,
when folded, are of a light grizzly blue tinge, and when
looked through are glassy and colorless, with small veins,
and a dark patch or blot on the outer edge. Head, shoul-
ders, and body, a brown orange tinge ; legs, a brown amber
dim transparency. Is about the substance of the early
brown, and commences hatching early this month.

Snipe bloa feather from under the wing ; yellow or orange
silk, with a few fibres of ambry-brown mohair at the
breast.

33RP. — LITTLE DARK DRAKE. — Length about a quarter;
wings, a quarter or better, altogether of the hue of the
water-hen's breast. When held up to the light the middle
joints of the body shew lighter, like the iron blue, but the
iron blues are a blue grey, and the little dark drake a dim
red. Eyes dark and cockling. She commences hatching
about the middle of this month, and continues through the
summer ; then she casts her skin and becomes the little red
drake.

Winged and legged with a small feather from the water-
hen or water-rail ; body, orange silk, waxed.

34TH. — LITTLE BED DRAKE. — Length, a quarter ; wings,
a quarter or better, clear and transparent, with red tinges
and reflections ; shoulders, red ; body, a red lemony dim
transparency ; eyes, red brown, large, and goggling. Long
whisks, which stand square, and long fore-legs, of a red
light-brown dim transparency. Muster in groups towards
evening.

APRIL. 37

Pale orange or dim yellow silk, and red cock's-hackle
feather.

3 5TH. — HAWTHORN FLY. ** — Full length from three-eighths
to half an inch ; length nearly the same. Head, shoulders,
body, and legs, jet black and shiny, thinly set with black
short hair ; wings fine, of a light grizzly transparency.
They resemble the cow dung or lion fly, but are a little
more slender, and, like him, is a savage warrior fly, devour-
ing others. They are sheathed, body and limbs, in glossy
black mail, haunting hawthorn trees and hedges. They are
bred on land, making their appearance the latter end of
this month, and are gone by the end of May.

Head, shoulders, and body, black silk, with black seal's
fur or mohair twisted or wrought in ; winged with a light
neutral feather from the snipe or starling ; with a black
hen-hackle for legs.

36TH. — BED BROWN DRAKE. — Length, about three-
eighths ; wings rather more ; in outline and clouded wing
it resembles the brown drake, but is less in size, and its
colors all darker; the wings resembling the mottled red
feather in the partridge's tail. Body orange, with dark red
brown marks on the upper parts ; legs, a dim ale or amber.
Hatches the latter end of this month, and casts her skin,
when she becomes the dark amber drake.

Dressed with a mottled red feather out of the partridge
tail, and orange silk, with a few fibres of orange or amber
mohair at the breast.

(22) This fly is generally dressed as a palmer, as recommended by Ronalds, or
dressed like a large black gnat, as suggested by Mr. Francis and Jackson. I have
only had good sport with the imitation on one occasion, when on a gloomy day in
August, 1868, while fishing in the Yore below Eipon, I killed eleven fine grayling ;
there was a full water, and the fish would look at no other fly. I should say that if
fished natural, on a small hook, this fly would kill well on trout streams overhung
by hawthorn bushes, but not having tried it I cannot speak from experience, but
merely give the hint for what it may be worth.

38 LIST OF FLIES.

37TH. — DARK AMBER DRAKE. — Length three-eighths;
wings rather more, which are clear and glassy, with deep
orange reflections ; body, rich orange bottom, marked dis-
tinct, with a good portion of rich dark brown on each joint ;
legs, amber.

Deep orange hackle for wings and legs ; and orange or
yellow silk for body, more or less waxed.

38TH.— SANDED DuN.23— Full length, half an inch or
more ; length, three-eighths ; wings, three-eighths and one-
sixteenth, the top ones, when closed, appear of a uniform
palish sandy-red brown. The dark eyes form the only con-
trast, but on looking closely the wings are beautifully broken
with faint freckles, and staddles of lighter on the top edges
behind -the shoulders, which are more conspicuous in some
than in others. Body and legs a light red-brown dim trans-
parency ; belly, a bees'-wax dull yellow hue. They com-
mence hatching this month, and may be seen in the day
time until October; but the great muster of the duns is
from five to seven in the afternoons, and dusk in the even-
ings. In the course of the season varieties, slightly differ-
ing, present themselves — the bodies and thighs of some
have the purple blush, and shew clear the light side lines ;
others have more or less down, or are of lighter or darker
shade, but when held to the light, are all from the light
colored or codbait tribe of creepers.

Bright copper colored silk for body ; feathers, for wings
and legs, from the landrail, throstle, or a yellow bronze brown
hen, or the brown owl, with or without tinge of water-rat.

(23) This fly must not be confounded with No. 5 in this work, which is called in
some districts the " Sand Fly," the title which is adopted by all other writers for the
" Sanded Dun." I have generally found it kill best in the evening towards the end
of August or beginning of September, but am inclined to think that it is then taken
as an imitation of the " Cinnamon Fly," which it much resembles, and which belongs
to the same family, the " Phryganidae ; " for the Yore, the author's pattern answers
very well, but curiously enough does not take at all well on the Wharf e, where a fly
dressed hacklewise from a thrush's feather, with yellow silk for the body, does great
execution among grayling during the autumn months.

APRIL. 39

39TH. — DARK DRAKE (dark watchet)^ — Length, near or
about three-eighths ; whisks, three-eighths ; wings, three-
eighths, which are of a dark plum hue, crossed into squares
with dark lines. Body, dark and rather shiny, of a dim
transparency, like the dark rind of a plum upon the orange
piilp ; dim yellow patches like epaulettes, at the shoulders,
and a dark spot on each joint along the sides. The fore-
legs of some very long, and of a dark ale dim transparency;
whisks the same ; eyes dark and cockling. She commences
hatching the latter part of this month, and afterwards
becomes numerous, with variations, to near the end of the
season. She is a celebrated fly, of the first order of aquatics
— the "dark watchet" or "water-hen and orange" of the
craft.

Orange silk, and water-hen or water-rail's breast feather,
or from under the wing.

40TH. — DARK RED DRAKE. — Size of the dark drake.
Wings, clear, with red sparklings ; shoulders shew the
yellow epaulettes ; the dark parts almost black ; back a
reddish brown, dark at each joint, which shew most along
the sides ; belly, light brown, lightest at each joint ; legs,
a red brown ale transparency — the fore ones of some the
longest ; eyes, cockling or cased. Are out in the day-time
and evenings.

Body, orange silk, and red cock's hackle for wings and
legs.

41ST. — PLOVER DUN. — Full length, from three-eighths
to half an inch ; length, better than a quarter to three-
eighths. Top wings downy, of a rusty brown ground, with
light freckles on the upper edges, and gilded reflections in

(24) I can fully indorse the author's statement that the hackle fly known to the
majority of Yorkshire anglers as " Waterhen and Orange," is a great killer through-
out the whole of the year in cold dull weather, but believe that the reason may be
found in the fact that it forms a good general imitation of the many shades of the
" Iron Blue Dun," which may be found on the water from the time that the latter
fly comes into season until the back end of the year.

40 LIST OF FLIES.

the sun ; under wings a uniform bloa tinge, and fringed.
Body a leady hue ; legs a white yellow. Is something like
the early dun, but has been observed to hatch freely the
latter end of this month and the beginning of May.

Hackled with a freckled bloa feather from the golden
plover ; for wings and legs, copper-colored silk, tinged with
water-rat's blue fur.

42ND — FRECKLED DuN.25 — Full length, better than half
an inch to five-eighths ; length, three-eighths or more ;
wings, better than half an inch, the top ones a dark red
brown ground and transparency, with longitudinal dark
veins ; and beautifully freckled with marks and spots of a
fawn or buff color. Light side lines, broadest next the
shoulders ; back, belly, thighs, and legs, a dark, reddish ash
or lead color — the two last joints of the body darkest ; eyes
dark • the side lines light copper color.

This is a fine dun fly, the produce of the stickbait. They
appear to hatch twice a year, commencing this month, and
are plentiful in May and June, and again in September and
October. After hatching they may be seen flying about in
the day-time ; their eggs are an amber color.

Winged and legged with a freckled feather from the
moorcock ; and orange silk or copper colored silk for body •
winged with slips from the moorcock, and .legged with
moorcock's hackle ; body, tinged with water-rat's blue fur.

43RD. — LIGHT DUN.26 — Full length, better than half an
inch to five-eighths ; length, three-eighths or more ; wings,
better than half an inch, the top ones near the shade of the
outer skin of a dried onion, with faint mottles and cross-
ings a shade darker ; body, thighs, and legs, a light bees'-

(25) The imitation of this fly, dressed as above, is an excellent killer on the
Laver, a small brook near Ripon, which after joining the Skell flows into the Yore, a
little distance below the city ; locally this fly is known as " Moorcock and Spicey Silk."

(26) "Alder Fly" of other writers; Mr. Francis recommends it as a useful
evening fly, and Mr. Ronalds remarks that, where plentiful, it is best fished natural.

APRIL. 4 1

wax hue and transparency ; eyes, dark or black. Is alto-
gether of a light dim ambry tinge and dim transparency.

This fly is the produce of the codbait. They commence
hatching this month, and are plentiful in May and June,
and again in autumn, but are out most in the dusk of even-
ing. There are varieties of them, some darker freckles and
smaller size. The artificial cases of some of the codbait
tribe have small particles of vegetable substances mingled
with those of stone, attached to them, which may impart a
darker shade or freckle to the flies. The largest codbait
creepers, when the case is covered with particles of stone
only, produce the largest and lightest colored flies.

They are imitated with feathers from the landrail, brown
owl, dotterell, brown hen, etc., with tawny, coppery colored
silks, of lighter or darker shades.

NOTE FOR APRIL. — This genial and life-cheering month
teems with sport for the flyfisher. Hungry trout and smelt
in abundance, unscathed through winter and the streams
ample, they forage and feed without fear or scruple. Any
of the flies hitherto described that may be hatching or on
the water, may be fished this month ; the needle, dark,
light, red, mottled, and bloa brown, with the Royal Charlie ;
the blue, brown, checkwing, iron blue, dark brown, and
dark Drakes ; the plover, freckled, and light duns, etc. ; or
in the language of the craft, who have handed down the
feathers rather than the flies — the snipe bloa, inside and
outside of woodcock, landrail, partridge tail, partridge grey,
fox-cub, hen pheasant, partridge brown, water-hen and
orange, plover bloa, moorcock, brown owl, etc. By those
traditional materials the craft along the banks of the
streams, both imitate and distinguish their flies, which are
the finest of the aquatic tribes for small flyfishing, and are
all in full force hatching and breeding daily. The weather
affects them : a fine warm time sets them all afloat ; cold,

42 LIST OF FLIES.

coarse days, retard the tender tribes, which, as they can
snatch portions of sunshine, when the wily trout, wide
awake, sees all that passes and snaps his favorite victim.
The gravel spinners are in good perfection, with the light,
dark, and bloa brown, blue and brown drake, are good for
the Ure — the duns, with the Eoyal Charlie, are good for
the brooks, fished with- or without the gold and black silver
hackle.

The beginning of this month the old smelt begin to pack
and draw downwards on their passage to salt water, when
vast shoals make their halts on the tops and hovering parts
of the streams of the Ure ; which affords the Eipon angler
as animated sport as he can wish. On meeting with a shoal
on a fine forenoon, at low water, they will frequently race
each cast at every fly on the stinting.27 They take small red
hackles and flies — the maggot and codbait are excellent
auxiliaries. The first May flood takes the main body away,
but many of the largest pass Ripon the latter end of this
month.

MAY.

HAIL, smiling May ! Queen of the year — robed in bright
emerald — spangled with garlands of blossoms and flowers.
She chants her joys in wide spread melody ; and charms
the light heart of the angler. Myriads of flies flock the
air ; the pregnant waters teem with life ; and the tyrant
trout, night and day, revels and fattens in carnage.

The merry smelt, in tints of blue,
Forsakes its home and bids adieu
To its native streams— their first, best nurse ;
And to the ocean steer their course.

(27) As I have previously mentioned in the preface this practice is now put an
end to by law ; the word " stinting" is a local phrase signifying the fly cast.

MAY. 43

From briny waves, their sires' domain,
Their native streams cannot detain —
Cheerily the striplings journey forth,
The heirs apparent and lords of both ;
But grieve not, angler, to lose such store,
They'll never cease to bring thee more.

Drakes, in their swaddlings, tempt the trout by day,
And in the evenings in new dresses play.
Browns, beetles, spinners, during day come on —
Duns, moths, and th' Empress, after day is done.
Tribes of busy house flies, and nameless numbers 'bound
Rank in the woods— the grass — the air — the ground;
And numbers, unconscious, on treacherous waters light,
Which, struggling on its surface, tempt the fish to bite.
Through this gay month the Empress feeds the trout,
Joined by the fairy ere the month be out.
Of 'all the viands this rich season brings,
These, the trout's choice : whence his perfection springs ;
Re-rich his gildings— his spotted sides expand —
But dire's their havoc, when in true angler's hand.

44TH. — YELLOW BROWN (or bellow Sally).28 Sizes vary.
Full length, from three-eighths to half an inch or more ;
length, three-eighths more or less. Colors altogether yel-
low, of paler or deeper shade, except slight touches of brown
on the head, shoulders, and body ; eyes, dark or black.

They commence hatching with the month, and are very
numerous to the end of July ; are out on fine days from
morning till night. They are a small smart fly ; but, the
razor grinder says " they taste bitter, and fish don't like

Hackled and legged with a small canary or yellow oriel's
feather; body, yellow silk; with a few fibres of yellow
mohair, or hair from the hare's ear, for legs.

45TH. — LITTLE FRECKLED DUN. — Full length, about
three-eighths ; length, rather less ; wings, one quarter and

(28) "Yellow Sally," of Jackson, Konalds, and Francis; the last-named
authority states that a keeper once gave him the same reason for the fish's aversion
to this fly as stated above by the author, this may be assumed to be correct, as I
never met with a flyfisher yet who could say that the imitation of this member of
the Perlidae family was a good killer.
E

44 LIST OF FLIES.

one-sixteenth, which, when closed, are of a dark brown
ground, rankly spotted or freckled over with dull yellow or
buff color ; with gilded reflections in the sun ; under wings
a snipe bloa hue, fringed at the edges ; top ones, when
looked through, a blue-dun tinge ; shoulders, body, feelers,
thighs, and legs, coppery, with its blue tarnish of lighter or
darker shade.

They are very like the freckled dun, but much smaller.
Commence hatching with the month, and are out numerous
most part of the day and in the evenings, through summer.

Wings, a rankly freckled feather from the snipe or jud-
cock ; tinged and legged with blue-dun fur.

46TH. — LEAST DuN.29 — Full length, about one-eighth of
an inch. Top wings downy, fringed and freckled like the
goat-sucker, and glistening in the sun with coppery and
gilded reflections ; legs and body a dark cloudy dun, which
grows more coppery as the season advances ; under wings
plain and fringed, of a uniform blue-bloa tinge.

They are the least of the dun tribes, and like others of
its size, scarce worth the angler's notice. They commence
hatching with the month, and continue increasing through
most of the season. In September they are out most of the
day, and are exceedingly numerous and brisk in the even-
ings ; they run very quick, and their appearance is like a
piece of dark down.

Body, small copper-colored silk ; winged and legged with
a neck feather from the golden plover.

47TH. — LIGHT DRAKE (Light Watchet). — Length, a quar-
ter to near three-eighths ; wings the same, of a fine light
smoky-blue tinge and transparency ; the veins and cross-

(29) When seen with the naked eye, this minute insect resembles a small speck
of down on the surface of the water, but when looked at through a magnifying glass
it is exactly represented by the figure in the page cf illustrations, it- may, however,
be reckoned in the same category as the black midge, and denominated the " fisher-
man's curse,"

MAY. 45

ings slight. Head, shoulders, body, feelers, and legs, a dim
yellow — some have three whisks, and a little darker, and
some a shade darker generally.

From their varying in sizes and shade there may be two
species of this beautiful little drake. They begin to hatch
early this month, and may be seen nearly through the sea-
son. They cast their skins and become a light red drake.

Blue-dun feathers from a tern or sea swallow, for wings ;
body, yellow or straw colored silk • with a few fibres of
amber fur, from the squirrel, at the breast.

48TH. — LIGHT EED DRAKE. — About the size of the light
drake. Wings exceedingly slight and colorless, scarcely
visible but for their slight red sparklings ; body light red
or amber, a shade darker on the back ; legs and whisks a
light dim red ; eyes cockling. Are out in the daytime and
evenings.

Fine small red cock's-hackle for wings and legs ; amber
silk for body.

49TH.— FCETED DUN.30— Full length, better than half an
inch ; length, three-eighths ; feelers, three-eighths ; wings
near half an inch, slightly downed, and of a darkish ches-
nut brown tinge and transparency, veined, and slightly
freckled with sparklings of gold in the sun. Head, shoul-
ders, back, and belly, a dark leady dun, with light coppery
side lines ; legs coppery, with its tarnish of blue — when
taken has a singular smell.

They commence hatching the latter end of April, and
continue through June, increasing to great numbers ; and
may be seen after sunset sporting by the water sides — fly-
ing among the willows, and running along the battlements
of bridges.

Wings from the landrail or the light chesnut feather from

(30) " Foetid Brown " of Francis, but as that authority remarks, does not bear
any very liierh reputation among anglers.

46 LIST OF FLIES.

the cock pheasant or the brown owl ; body copper-colored
silk, tinged with water-rat's blue fur ; with a few fibres of
light coppery mohair, or from the hare's ear or squirrel.

50TH. — DARK DUN. — Is in appearance altogether a dark
dyed fly, almost black. Full length, five-eighths ; wings
better than half an inch, with a horny shine upon them,
very veiny and much crossed ; when looked through, shew
the dark veins on a dim brown ground. Head, shoulders,
legs, and body, dark brown.

Hatches the beginning of this month, and continues
through June ; after hatching flies about the water in good
numbers, in the day-time.

Winged with a dark feather from the moorcock ; brown
silk for body ; legged with a dark brown hen hackle.

51ST. — RED DUN.31 — Full length, seven-eighths to an inch ;
length, half an inch to five-eighths ; wings, three quarters
to seven-eighths ; the top ones above a quarter of an inch
across the broadest part. Color altogether a light red ambry
hue and dim transparency ; the upper wings slightly broken
with faint freckle, lines, and marks ; under-wings plain,
and fold up double ; body fleshy, nearly cylindrical, and
better than half the length, shewing the light side lines.
They vary in shades and sizes — the spring flies, called musk
flies from their musky smell, are of a lighter shade. In
September they are more of a cinnamon hue ; some shew
more freckle and darker ground.

Wings, slips from the landrail, brown owl, or red dun
hen ; with coppery or amber silk for body, legged with a
red dun hen hackle.

The red dun is the largest, and master fly, of the aquatic

(31) Another member of the numerous family of the Phyganidse ; possibly it is
represented by the "Sedge Fly" of Francis, and the "Bank Fly" named in Mr.
Aldam's work. My note on Fly 38 applies pretty much the same to this fly in its
season.

MAY. 47

dun tribes. She hatches during this month and again in
autumn, when they are very numerous ; but like the stone
fly, she is seldom seen out in the daytime, but creeps into
the cracks and crevices of soil banks, overhanging sods,
etc., where she may be found by beating them \ in the dusk
of evening they come out and sport on the wing, probably
through the night. She is a fine fleshy fly, but not much
noticed by the craft.

52ND.— RED BEETLE. — Full length about half an inch;
length the same ; wings near three-eighths, of a red-brown
tinge and amber transparency ; legs, back, belly, and breast,
dark or black ; head, shoulders, sides, and thighs, red as a
boiled lobster ; eyes black ; feet and feelers notched — feelers
black at the ends ; under wings veined and shaded with
light and dark bloa. Comes early this month, and con-
tinues through the next.

Amber feather from the cock-pheasant's breast, for wings ;
body, orange or yellow silk, tinged with the mole or water-
rat ; with a few orange and black fibres of mohair at the
breast ; or hen hackle for legs.

5 3RD. — MEALY BROWN BEETLE. — Full length, better
than half an inch ; top wings a grey mealy brown, with
very little transparency ; under wings fine and clouded light
and dark bloa ; body, thighs, neck, chin, and feelers, a rich
deep orange ; centre of the belly and remaining parts, a
dusky brown ; eyes black. Are numerous among the grass,
in the fields, by the Ure side, the middle of this month —
numbers were seen in the pasture opposite " Skittergate."

Wings, from the grey brown feather from a mallard's
wing , orange silk for body, tinged with water-rat ; legged
with a yellow brown hen hackle, with a yellow stripe down
the middle.

54TH. — BROWN BEETLE. — Full length, about three-

48 LIST OF FLIES.

eighths ; length, near the same ; top wings shiny, and of a
darkish bronze or red brown, and dim amber transparency ;
head, shoulders, body, and legs, black ; legs notched ; with
a thin hair upon them and on the other parts ; under-wings
tinged at the shoulders with amber, which shade into a
leady bloa to the ends. They have two black feelers, with
a tuft at the ends. Are very numerous, flying about in the
day-time among the grass and on the hedges, from the
middle of this month through June.

Wings from a red-brown hen, of ambry transparency;
body, black floss silk ; with a black hen hackle or black
mohair for legs.

55TH. — SOLDIER BEETLE.32— Full length, various, three-
eighths more or less. Color altogether red or amber, of
lighter or darker shade, except the ends of the top wings,
which are tipped with black, and of a dim amber trans-
parency ; under-wings clear, and of a bloa brown trans-
parency; veined and clouded with lighter and darker shades ;
eyes black. Are numerous among the grass the latter end
of this month and into July.

Wings, a small amber feather with the black top from a
cock-pheasant's breast ; body, amber or yellow floss silk ;
with a few fibres of orange mohair or hen hackle for legs.

56TH. — OAK FLY (or downlooker)^- Length, better than
half an inch ; wings near half an inch, of a light red brown
ground and dim transparency ; darkest on the outer edges,
and marked with patches and spots of lighter or darker

(32) " Fern Fly " of Ronalds and Francis, best imitated by a hackle fly dressed
with a starling's dark feather, with a red cock's hackle wound over that, upon a body
of orange floss silk, care should be taken in making this fly as small as possible, as
the imitation is generally far too large.

(33) Generally known as the " Downlooker," from its habit of veering round
head downwards whatever position it may be placed in. It is generally fished
natural. Mr. Francis states that it is a great favourite on the Tweed, but I have
never had any remarkable success with the imitation of it.

MAY. 49

shade ; head and shoulders a leady ashy color ; body, a buff
or bees'-wax hue and transparency ; with a black spot on
each joint along the back, and a small black line on each
side, the three last joints darkest. Belly and thighs buff,
darkening to the feet ; breast dark ; eyes brown. Is a land
fly, found often on the buts of oak, ash, or other trees ;
generally with their heads downwards ; and may often be
seen in great numbers, flying about the hedges, from the
middle of this month through June ; and is a fine fleshy
and rich colored fly — sometimes fished natural.

Dressed with various materials : wings from the wood-
cock or partridge, or winged and legged with a bittern
hackle, or a yellow brown freckled hen ; body, yellow or
pale amber silk, with open rounds of deep red brown ;
shoulders, tinged with water-rat or squirrel's ashy fur.

57TH.— SPOTTED SPINNER. — Length half an inch ; wings
half an inch, of a light transparent ground, beautifully
spotted with rich dark brown, and reddish towards the
shoulders, which, with the body, are of an ashy leady hue,
with green and various reflections ; some are a fine light
blue or azure, darkest on the edge of each joint ; thighs, a
red dim transparency, darkening to the feet. Appear the
middle of this month, and continue through June.

58TH. — LITTLE SPOTTED SPINNER. — Full length three-
eighths • length, a quarter and a sixteenth ; wings the same
color as the spotted spinner ; clear, marked, and spotted
with dark brown ; body and shoulders darkish brown, with
gilded reflections in the sun ; legs a light brown dim trans-
parency. Is out in the afternoon and evenings, from the
middle of this month through June.

Rankly freckled feather, of neutral ground, may be selec-
ted from the wild mallard or teal, for the wings of these
two flies, which are nearly similar in colors ; body, dull

50 LIST OF FLIES.

yellow or fawn colored silk, tinged with fine blue fur ; red
hackle for legs.

59TH. — BLACK DRAKE. — Length various, from one-eighth
and one-sixteenth to three-eighths. Is the darkest of the
drake tribes, altogether of a leady black hue. Commences
hatching the middle of this month ; and continues through
June and July. They cast their skins and become the
black red drake.

Hackled, for legs and wings, with a dark leady feather
from the coot or water-hen ; body, red or crimson silk.

60TH. — BLACK-RED DRAKE. — Near the same size as the
black drake, but smarter. Head, top of shoulders, and
body, a deep red or black brown, shewing orange or yellow
at the joints, sides of shoulders, and setting on of the legs.
Belly a dim amber ; legs and whisks a dim ale transparency;
eyes large and dark. The drawing was from one taken off
a spider's web ; the wings tied to the tail by the spider's
threads.

Black red cock's hackle, or purple feather from the cock-
pheasant's neck, for wings and legs ; orange silk for body.

61ST. — GREY SPINNER (see spinner class). — Length, one
inch more or less ; wings the same, which are of a brown
transparency, with patches of lighter shade, branched arid
crossed with dark veins. Shoulders, thighs, and breast,
shades of ash, with dark marks ; body a greenish ash, with
dark touches along each side ; when held to the light the
middle joints shew a dim transparency; thighs, lighter,
darkening down the legs. Is the largest of the spinner
class, not numerous, but may be sometimes seen on the
banks of the streams, from the beginning of this month into
July. They are not imitated for small flyfishing — the hind
legs of some measure three inches.

MAY. 51

Slips for wings may be found in those of the woodcock
or hen pheasant ; with fawn or amber colored silk or alpaca
woollen thread for body, etc., tinged with blue-dun fur, and
legged with a black-red hackle.

62ND. — GREEN DRAKE.31 — Length various, from three-
quarters to seven-eighths may be the medium ; wings nearly
the same, which are of a light grass green ground, and dim
transparency ; veined and crossed with darker lines ; two
or three small blotches near the middle. Head and shoul-
ders a light grass green hue, with touches of darker at the
sides, and a dark blotch on the back and on the sides of

(34) At the time when this little work was first issued, no doubt the imitation
of this, the most beautiful of aquatic insects, was of little use except under very
exceptional circumstances, such as a coloured water, or dull windy day ; but during
the past twenty years experiments have been made and results arrived at, such as
perhaps have not been effected in the case of any other fly. Such thoroughly prac-
tical men as Mr. Francis, the late James Ogden of Cheltenham, the late David Foster
of Ashbourne, Hammond of Winchester, and W. J. Cummins of Bishop Auckland,
not forgetting also Mr. Aldam, whose name is associated with one of the greatest
curiosities of angling literature ever issued by the press, I repeat, such men as these
have, by means of most patient research and practical experiments, succeeded in
bringing the floating imitation of the " G-reen Drake " to such a state of perfection
as to leave nothing to be desired. The bodies of these floating artificials are formed
from various materials, but undoubtedly the best is that recommended by Mr.
Francis, viz., straw or maize leaf ; this must be wrapped round a very fine wire hook
having a long shank, and ribbed with dark red-brown silk in spiral rings ; the legs
to be formed by a light speckled partridge feather dipped in onion dye, and the
wings from two picked feathers from a teal or drake stained to suit the colour of the
fly according to the district, these must be tied on back to back with a turn of pea-
cock harl to form the head, and when properly dressed I feel confident that all anglers
will agree with Mr. Francis that this cannot be excelled as an imitation of this
beautiful fly. On the Derbyshire Wye, and upon some of the Hampshire streams,
the " Green Drake " comes out in immense force if the season is favourable, and upon
these occasions great sport is obtained among the trout ; in Yorkshire, however, the
" Stone Fly " has the precedence, excepting on one or two of the smaller streams as
mentioned by the author. For an imitation to fish below the surface of the water,
011 a windy day for instance, the following is the pattern given by Mr. Francis :
body formed of cork, with floss silk rings ; tail, two whisks of brown mallard ; legs,
ginger or buff cochin hackle, and wings four hackle points from an Andalusian cock,
these are grizzled and blue dun colour, and must be stained pale yellow, which, on
the blue ground, gives the exact tinge ; a long and a short hackle must be used to
form each wing, and dressed well outwards to support the fly upon the water. The
floating patterns should be kept in a small tin box, as if the wings are crushed
between the leaves of a fly book, their floating properties are greatly impaired. In
Yorkshire this fly hardly ever appears on the water until the first week in June.

52 LIST OF FLIES.

each joint of the body, darkest on the three last joints ; legs
and whisks a dim light green tinge and transparency.

Hackled, for legs and wings, with a light colored mottled
feather from the wild mallard, that is stained the ground
color of the wings of the fly ; body pale yellow-green smooth
woollen thread, warped with eight or nine open rounds of
darker shade.

The green drake is the superior fly of the drake tribes.
All the genus are bred in the water — first an egg, then a
creeper ; the green drake remains in it above ten months.
About the twenty-fourth of this month the forward creepers
are matured ; and from ten o'clock till four, on fine days,
rise to the surface, when the struggling fly splits open the
creeper case at the shoulders, and draws out its body, wings,
whisks, and legs, as it floats on the current. When all the
parts are at liberty, up springs on the wing the new-hatched
fly, like a water nymph in fairy green, leaving the empty
creeper skin on the water, an exhausted senseless slough.
In this way, while the sun's beams (the accoucheur general)
shine warm on the water, the unseen drake creeper is meta-
morphosed into a beautiful fly, which the eye catches spring-
ing up from various parts of the water, when we wonder
from what or whence they come ; but on looking close, the
empty creeper skins will be seen floating in the places.
Each succeeding day, for three or four weeks, continues to
hatch them, until the whole family are brought into this
breathing world. Her first flight is heavy, but shortened
by the first tree, grass, or bush she can light upon. She
springs from the bosom of her cradle and her nurse, sur-
rounded by dangers ; the reckless swallow often traps her in
her first flight. She floats on the current majestic, the little
"lady o' the lake," often on the brink of eternity — ,for,
beneath, her deadliest enemies lie watching in her track ;
and in her short sail --with scarce time to breathe her new
element — she is waylaid and gulped by the reckless trout.

MAY. 53

Escaped these dangers, the green drake reposes under the
leaves of trees and plants, in her green garb, which is the
covering nature has bstowed upon her to protect her tender
frame on its first encounter with the air and its changes.
She soon grows strong and splits open her green covering,
at the shoulders, in the same way as she did the creeper
case, and casts it off, and probably shortly after a second,
which clears away the green, and she becomes the grey
drake.

The green drake is fished both natural and artificial ;
and at the time she is hatching is as peerless for trout, in
the sunshine, as the stone fly is in the shade. The large
trout feed deliberately on them both ; they are cotemporary
and rule by turns the empire of the stream. The glories
of the stone fly are chiefly in the dusk of night and early
morn, when she hath no compeer. The green drake holds
her court in the full blaze of day, in undisputed majesty
queen of the streams, which, in clear water, renders her less
successful to the angler, for the quick eye of the trout catches
everything that flits within its vision — the -form of the
fisherman — the wave of his rod — or the appendages to the
falling fly, will rouse his fears and scare him from his food ;
but on sunny days and dark waters (when the green drakes
are hatching) every trout is on the watch — hovering in the
current like a kite in the air — wheeling from side to side to
snap the passing prey; and so intent upon it is he, that the
imperial Empress may trot over their heads unnoticed. It is
then the natural fly fills the craftsman's pannier, and the trout
she kills are in their full prime and splendour. The green
drake is plentiful in all the streams of Ripon — the mill
races and dams, which in summer are well stocked with
trout, abound with them — particularly above Bishopton
mill, where the trout are the finest in the neighbourhood,
when feeding on the green drake. She is tackled arid fished
natural, similar to the stone fly, sometimes two on the hook,

54 LIST OF FLIES.

the heads contrary way ; thrown lightly on the water and
left to the motion of the current. On fine calm hatching
days artificials have little or no chance, but m&y succeed on
breezy days and stirring waters.

On a sunny afternoon early in June, I was sitting by the
side of the millrace just below Bishopton mill, enjoying a
light luncheon. To please my children, who had brought
it, I told them to catch me one of those flies, and I would
catch them a trout — for the green drakes were hatching
freely, and alighting on the grass around us. My rod was
at hand, I put on a fly and dropped it on the dark water,
amidst the silvery foam flakes which marked the main track
of the current. It had scarce sailed a yard when it was
chucked down, and I hove out a trout ; in a few minutes
and in a few yards space I took out four, from half a pound
to a pound each. My time being spent, and wanting no
more, I was winding up, when an old craftsman (who had
toiled through a fishless day) dropped upon us, and seeing
the four trout alive and jumping in his path, stood amazed,
and asked what I had taken them with, I answered, the
green drake, but did not add the important point, it was
alive. Next afternoon (which was sunny and the drakes
hatching) I saw the old craftsman, the late Miles Shepherd,
whipping up the mill-race with his usual small fly dexterity,
and met him on the spot I had killed the four : " What

sport, Mr. Shepherd." " Sport, M 1, why no sport at

all ; I went to Jackey Stubbs, and he dressed me a green
drake, and they wont touch it — I reckon i nowt ' of your
green drakes ; " and making no stop, away walked the dis-
appointed angler ; and, I believe, never troubled the fishery
more with the green drake.

John Stubbs's imitations were bad to equal ; and Miles
Shepherd was the most successful small fly fisher in all the
neighbourhood. In April and May he frequently brought
home, from the Laver, his pannier full of trout, some a

MAY. 55

pound to two pounds weight. He was dexterous in whip-
ping his flies beneath bushes, and over the haunts of large
trout. His favorite fly was the freckled dun, the produce
of the stickbait, which he called his " moorcock and spicy
silk." But the first generation of the freckled dun had
past, or was eclipsed by the green drake, then, in full force ;
and the artificial green drake in the sunny calm, was in
total eclipse by the living fly ; which would have filled a
pannier in an hour. Those who practice flyfishing in all
its varieties, find, amidst the changes of weather and waters,
suitable times and occasions for either, and neither overrate
the one or undervalue the other.

6 3RD. — GREY DRAKE.35 — Size about the same as the green
drake, but smarter, and shews her real colors. Wings
transparent and sparkling, of an inky tinge, with dark or
black veins and crossings, thickening to the shoulders, the
tops of which are dark ; and the spots or marks on the
joints of the body dark and distinct, of a deep red or black
brown ground. Body and shoulders a creamy yellow white,
dimly transparent ; some with long whisks and long fore-
legs, of a light ale tinge and transparency ; case or pellet
eyes — which varieties appear in some individuals — of most
species of the drakes.

Hackled for wings with a black cock's hackle ; for legs
fibres of red brown hair ; body, light cream colored smooth
woollen thread, warped with eight or nine open rounds of
brown floss silk.

The grey drake continues the history of the green one ;
unencumbered with the green mantle, the grey drake pur-
sues her pleasures with ease and vivacity. She shuns the

(35) This fly is the metamorphosis of the female " Green Drake," it is said by
some authorities to be a good evening fly, but I cannot speak very highly of it from
my own experience ; the author's dressing is too dark, and would more closely imitate
the " Black Drake," to which the male " Green Drake" changes; the best material
to employ for the wings is that recommended both by Jackson and Ronalds, viz., the
mottled feather from a mallard, stained faintly purple.

56 LIST OF FLIES.

streams and seeks society, and soon they draw together in
increasing numbers. Towards evening they muster in
swarms in the vicinity of the streams, towering upwards,
higher than the eye can see. Each individual fly keeps
long on the wing, in up and down motion, rising and fall-
ing nearly perpendicularly ; this is repeated each evening
until the females leave the society and repair back to the
waters, which is often their destruction, but the salvation
of their offspring. She fearlessly braves all its dangers,
hovers over it, and frequently drops upon it to deposit her
future progeny safely on its surface, which seems to be her
only care and last enjoyment in life. After laying her eggs
she becomes weak and languid ; numbers fall exhausted on
the waters and are taken by the fishes, or die. Their con-
tinuation as green and grey drakes may be for six weeks,
when they disappear for the year — small groups of later
flies may be sometimes seen to the end of July. In this
manner the blue, brown, checkwing, the watchets, and all
the drake species have their beginning, career, and end of
life. The brood or swarm of each species, at their appointed
times, burst from their creeper skins at the top of the water,
sport their short lives, and make their exit similar to the
green and grey drake.

64TH. — WHITE DRAKE. — Length about one-eighth, alto-
gether white, except a brown dab on the top of the shoul-
ders ; wings rather broad, and shew pinky tints ; body
thickish, with three whisks. After casting is much smarter,
and the dab on the shoulders a fine rufous or red brown.
There is another variety of the same size, but a pale blue
color — both are too small for the purposes of the angler.

This little peri, like a small atom of waxwork, is the
smallest of the drake tribes mentioned here. They come
out of the water on warm afternoons, and may be seen in
great numbers from six to seven o'clock in serene and sunny

MAY. 57

evenings, when they will alight on the fisherman's garments,
and cast their skins on his hat or coat. Numbers may be
seen on the battlements of bridges, etc., the latter part of
this month, and nearly through June. It is curious to see
how dexterously they slip off their skins with their fore
legs, " as sharp," says the razor grinder, " as a lady doffs
her bonnet and shawl."

65TH.— BLACK AND YELLOW SPINNER.— Length, half an
inch to five-eighths ; wings about the same, which are fine
and transparent, of a rufous brown tinge, with dark veins,
and a small staddle near the end ; head and top of shoul-
ders a fine bright yellow, with a black line down the back
and belly, and black spots along each side. The shoulders
are large, some freckled black and yellow at the sides. The
females are the largest and the colors not so perfect ; in
many the yellow is dull, and the black, brown. They
appear the latter part of this month, and are out daily until
evening, into July. There is a smaller species, about three-
eighths, nearly the same colors, and out much in the even-
ings.

Wings, slips from the woodcock ; body, shoulders, and
head, yellow silk, marked and warped with black ; legs, a
dark red cock's hackle.

66TH. — BLACK SPINNER. — Length three-eighths and one-
sixteenth to half an inch ; wings the same, of an inky tinge
and transparency ; and the fly altogether a dull black or
dark brown color— except the thighs, which are of a dull
ale transparency, darkening down the legs. Appear the
latter end of this month, and continue into July.

Wings from the swift, coot, or water-hen ; body, dark
brown silk ; legged with a black-red cock's hackle.

67TH. — BLUE SPINNER (or gnat). — Full length near or

58 LIST OF FLIES.

about a quarter ; wings not quite so long, transparent, and
of a blue tinge, with small longitudinal lines, and a black
spot towards the end of the outer edge ; body pointed, and
a little more cylindrical and full than the black gnat, which,
with the shoulders, reflect an ashy blue shade, darker on
the back ; head and legs a dark brown. They are bred in
the water, and commence hatching the latter end of last
month, increasing to great numbers, and are on the waters
through September.

Body, light ashy blue silk, hackled, for wings and legs,
with a cock-pheasant's neck feather, or from the starling or
rook.

68TH. — BROWN DUN. — Full length half an inch ; length,
a quarter and one-sixteenth ; wings veined lengthways, and
when closed are of a dark dull brown hue, not very downy,
but rather hairy on the shoulders. Body small, of a dark
brown or chocolate hue, with light side lines ; legs and
feelers a brown ale dim transparency. Hatch the latter
end of this month, and are out at seven in the evening-
through June.

Slips for wings from a brown hen or brown owl ; legged
with mohair or hen hackle, or hackled for wings and legs
with the same ; body coppery silk, tinged with water-rat's
blue fur.

69TH. — SAILOR BEETLE. — Length various, from a quarter
to three-eighths or better. Color altogether red or amber,
of lighter or darker shades, except the ends of the top
wings, which are tipped with black, with a dark or black
line on the upper edges, and are of amber transparency.
Eyes black ; under-wings a bloa brown transparency, veined
and clouded with lighter and darker — resembles the soldier
beetle, except the dark or black line on the top edge of each
wing. Are numerous among the grass until July.

MAY. 59

Wings, amber feather tipped with black, from the cock-
pheasant's breast ; body orange silk, with a few fibres of
orange mohair at the breast for legs.

NOTE. — Numerous swarms of different flies now meet
their arch enemy, the swift, which, like a winged dart, cleaves
their devoted ranks. The angler's list shrinks when com-
pared with the vast varieties. House flies, spinners, beetles,
etc., increase and expand their species far beyond the ken
of the fly fisher — whose skill is often foiled when the fish
are rising around him at some fly or insect known to them-
selves only. Many of the choicest species of the three
aquatic tribes, the brown drakes and duns, are this month in
their greatest numbers and virgin freshness ; while trout are
exceedingly bold and their appetites keen. The needle, Royal
Charlie ; light mottled, and bloa browns ; the blue, brown,
red brown, checkwing, iron blue, dark, and light drakes ;
also the light and freckled duns, etc., are all hatching and
on the water, more or less, daily ; and the gravel spinners
are in their best perfection. All these are first-rate day flies
for trout, and may be used at the times of hatching, or such
as are most numerous on the water, or the fish are taking.
Any others hitherto mentioned may be selected from the
list, and tried with or without the hackles. Some of the
duns and drakes assemble, on warm evenings, this month,
and lay their eggs on the water, which commences evening
fishing. The three superiors — the stone fly, green drake,
and red dun — are in conjunction this month. The stone
fly commences her imperial reign about the eighth, and the
green drake about the twenty-fourth. When the weather
is genial, at the times of hatching and coming on the water
of these two flies, the trout generally take their fulth of
them in preference to all others, when the natural flies only
can succeed ; but if rude, stormy weather then prevails, it
gives good imitations a chance. The red dun is a fine large
F

60 LIST OF FLIES.

night fly, when she may be taken ; but she is not much
used or noticed by the craft.

JUNE.

THE queen and empress reign harmonious, and shine resplen-
dent in the gilded sides of the fatted trout ! The travelling
stream presents its daily stores, and nightly forages gorge
his craving maw. Stately he glides in his forenoon rounds,
and selects his lunch from the browns or checkwing.
Drowsy he doses the sultry hours of noon, till roused by
the Queen to dinner ; and he sups through the night until
gorged by visits of the Imperial fly. Grayling cling close
to the bustle of sharp streams, but are ever found in the
eddies.

70TH. — HORNED DUN.SS — Full length, half an inch and
one-sixteenth ; length near half an inch ; top wings a darkish
cigar brown, rather lighter on the main veins, and downy ;
head, dark, flat, and downy ; shoulders a dark brown color,
and downy ; body, a dark leady color ; belly, ashy reflec-
tions ; thighs, ashy ; legs, light brown ; feelers often erected
upright, like horns, which has named them. They com-

(36) Mr. Francis informs me that in the south they class together a great num-
ber of flies similar to the above under the common denomination of " Sedge Fly ; "
they belong to the numerous family of the Phryganidae, of which perhaps the " Sand
Fly," " G-reen-tail " and " Cinnamon Fly," are the most useful types ; the author repro-
duces an unnecessary number of these flies, all having the same dressing for their
bodies, viz., " copper-coloured silk tinged with water-rat's fur." Mr. Francis is of
opinion that the fish feed principally upon these insects in the caddis state, but that
at times they may prove useful in the evening.

JUNE. 61

mence hatching with the month, and are out in the day-
time and evenings.

Wings, slips from a bloa brown feather from a snipe or
dotterell's wi^ng ; body, copper-colored silk, tinged with
water-rat's fur ; legs, a light gingery hen hackle or mohair.

7 IST. — JUMPER BEETLE. ^ — Full length, about a quarter,
plump and thick ; head and eyes black ; shoulders red ; top
wings a brown red, and of amber transparency; under-
wings fine, of a bloa brown tinge and transpareny ; body,
a light red or amber ; legs notched, and a red brown color,
the hind ones long, and seem fixed low on the breast-plate
near the centre of the belly, as if for jumping, from which
they are named. They are most numerous about the mid-
dle of next month, and may be found out in the day time,
and often on spider webs.

Head, black silk ; shoulders and body bright orange or
yellow ; wings, the amber part of a cock-pheasant's breast ;
and a light red brown hen hackle for legs.

72ND. — TUFTED DuN.38 — Full length, three-eighths or bet-
ter ; top wings covered with a light red brown down, which
fringes the edges, and are of a light red snuffy transparency.
Under-wings thin and fringed, of a bloa brown trans-
parency ; body, a blue dun, with light side lines ; legs, a
light stone color ; shoulders hairy, with a tuft on the top
of the head, which distinguish and name them. The feelers

(37) " Wren-tail " of Ronalds, " Jumper " of Jackson. The latter remarks that
this insect is very abundant at hay -making time, when they sometimes get on to the
water and are taken by the fish. The best method of imitation is to wrap the
feather from a wren's tail hacklewise upon a body of yellow silk.

(38) Another of the Phryganidae family, which I am inclined to think is inten-
ded for the " Cinnamon Fly," the body does not compare, however, with that of the
latter-named fly, but as I pointed out in a foregoing note (36), the author gives one
dressing for the bodies of nearly all this class, which is far from being correct. For
the body of the " Cinnamon Fly," Mr. Ronalds says fawn-coloured floss silk, tied on
with silk thread of the same colour ; Jackson, orange and straw-coloured silk ; and
Mr. Francis dark barm-coloured silk. This fly generally kills b«st after a slight
shower.

62 LIST OF FLIES.

are a red brown freckle, and dim transparency ; they often
stand erect, and seem jointed to two short tufts, which
stand upright on the head. They hatch this month, in the
middle of the day, and are out in the evenings ; they are
often met with under broad leaves by the water sides.

Wings selected from the landrail, or a red or yellow dun
hen ; body, copper-colored silk, tinged with water-rat's fur ;
legs, a cream-colored hen hackle, or light hairs from the
hare's ear.

73KD. — VERMILLION DRAKE. — Length, near a quarter;
wings, near a quarter, which, with the legs and whisks, are
of a dim light (almost white) transparency ; shoulders and
body a light lemony ground of dim transparency, touched and
pencilled on the upper parts with a rich vermillion red.
She hatches about the middle of this month, on warm sunny
afternoons, and continues into July. She casts her skin;
which takes with it the vermillion touches, when her body
and shoulders are of a rich lemon or straw color ; wings,
clear and glassy, with pinky sparklings. She is a pet of
summer, not very numerous, and probably of no use to the
angler ; her delicate texture and colors are bad to imitate,

Small straw or lemon colored silk, and a small white
pinky cock's hackle, for legs and wings.

74TH. — DARK PIED DuN.39 — Full length three-eighths;
length about a quarter ; feelers near five-eighths, spotted
light and dark. Wings a very dark dun, almost black,
with two small white lines on the upper, and two on the
lower edge of each ; and, when folded, the upper lines join
and form two small white stripes across the back, tinged

(39) I am inclined to think that this fly is intended to represent the " Black
Silver-horns" of Jackson, and that the following fly, No. 75, is the variety
with a bright jet black wing which Mr. Konalds states is found upon some streams ;
Jackson styles the latter " The Shining Black Silver-horns ; " I have met with them
both on the Yore, near Masham, but on no other Yorkshire river. Mr. Francis states
that this fly is a favourite with the fish in the north of France, but I have never had
great sport with it myself.

JUNE. 63

blue at the edges. Head, shoulders, body, and thighs, a
dark brown dun color, with the light side marks on the
body ; legs and feet a light stone color. Is hatching this
month, and out in the daytime and evenings, into August,
when they may be seen on bridges or on spider webs.

Wings from a blackbird's wing feather that has a reddish
tinge on the under side ; body coppery silk, tinged with
water-rat's fur ; hen hackle or hairs from the hare's ear for
legs.

75TH. — BLACK DuN.40 — Full length, three-eighths to near
half an inch ; length, a quarter or better ; feelers, five-
eighths to an inch. Is altogether of the bright black hue
of the crow ; the legs and feelers rather browned. Hatches
this month. Small groups may be seen flying near the
edges of the navigation, at 6 p.m., through July.

Wings from the water-hen, coot, or crow ; body and
shoulders dark leady brown silk, with a few fibres of dark
brown mohair at the breast for legs.

76. — WHITE DuN41 (or Bustard). — Full length near or
about an inch ; length, three quarters to seven-eighths. The
top wings are near seven-eighths, and slant down over the
sides, like the duns. The top sides are a glossy silvery white,
the under-sides freckled with brown • the other parts are
all of a light tawny amber, and yellow shades. The breast,
head, shoulders, and body, are thickly laid with a fine down
of the same hues, with a long yellow silken fringe at the
back of each thigh. The shoulders are thick, and about

(40] Vide the preceding note.

(41) In Yorkshire, night fishing with the natural " Bustard " is little indulged
in by anglers, but on the Eden, in the Carlisle and Appleby districts, very heavy
baskets of large trout are taken by the local experts ; neither Jackson or Ronalds
mention this fly, which is in reality a moth. Mr. Francis gives the following dress-
ing for its imitation : body, white crewel or white ostrich harl ; legs, white hen's
hackle ; and wings, either a couple of slips of white goose feather, or a bit of the
soft under wing of the grey owl ; hook No. 5 or 6.

64 LIST OF FLIES.

half the length ; body and upper parts touched with brown ;
belly, of some, bare, and of a yellow bees'-wax hue, ending
in a blunt point ; the feelers are short, and of an amber
hue ; eyes, dark or black.

Slips for wings may be found in the white or broken
feathers of the yellow or screech owl ; body, etc., light
tawny colored woollen thread, legged with a tawny hen
hackle.

The white dun, or " bustard " of the craft, is classed with
the duns, being nearly of the same construction, but is con-
sidered a land fly. They appear about the middle of this
month, and continue until near the end of July. They are
found flying about in meadows and long grass, from half-
past nine to half-past ten at night, when they are taken by
the craft and fished natural, with great success, for large
trout take them greedily in streams where the stone fly
does not come or is on the decline. These large flies are
generally fished natural, which is termed " dibbing " or
"dabbing." The stone fly, green and grey drakes, and
white bustard, are the chief, being all good to get. There
is the brown bustard and spotted moth, both night flies,
but do not shew themselves in numbers like the others.
They come out about half-past nine every fine night, and
continue into August. The brown bustard is similar in size
and shape to the white — top wings shades of brown, with
zig-zag lines and marble streaks ; the other parts red brown,
about the shade of the tawny parts of hare's fur. The
spotted moth : length five-eighths • wings three-quarters,
which it erects like a butterfly, or lays them flat like a
moth ; they are of a yellow white ground, spotted with a
rich dark brown, touched at the shoulders and across the
broad parts with yellow. Under-wings, no yellow and less
spotted ; body and shoulders smooth fleshy and yellow,
with a black spot on the top of the shoulders and each joint
down the back, and black spots along each side. Feelers

JUNE. 65

three-eighths, which, with the legs, are a red brown dim
transparency. There is also a light freckled brown moth,
of the size of the spotted, but more downy, and of the tawny
hue. There are other moths out at night in the summer
part of the season, of the dark brown freckle of the night-
jar, but the light colored flies are best taken. There is a
small long-snouted (three-eighths) silvery moth makes itself
very conspicuous, from its numbers, from eight to ten on
fine evenings through July ; and sometimes rouses the
smaller fish. It often occurs, in both moths and flies, that
there are two or three different sizes, all of the same colors
— like the freckled, little freckled, and least freckled duns,
etc., etc.

77TH.— RED ANT FLY.42— Full length, three-eighths to
half an inch ; length, a quarter to three-eighths ; wings the
same, which are veined, and of a brown tinge ; they fold
flat one upon the other over the back, . and reach beyond
the body. Shoulders and body thick ; waist small, which,
with the head, are all of a dark red brown color, legs and
feelers the same ; when held up to the light, shew thick
amber and red transparencies. Are altogether glossy and
smooth, but a fine short hair may be seen, through a glass,
on the parts which, in the sun, throw off short gilded reflec-
tions. They are well taken by the fish whenever they
come upon the waters. This species have but one pair of
wings.

The shoulders and body are usually formed with a small
strand of a peacock's feather, with small red or amber silk,
with a few fibres of red brown mohair wrought in at the

(42) This is a favourite fly of mine during July, August, and September ; in the
latter month grayling take it readily, and I seldom fish without having one on my
cast. In Derbyshire the local anglers use the ant's egg as a bottom bait, I am told,
with considerable success, but I have never seen it used upon any of the Yorkshire
rivers, and have never tried it myself. Mr. Ronalds remarks, "The ant eggs used
as a bottom bait after a fresh, are, in fact, cocoons, inclosing the insects in a pupa
state."

66 LIST OF FLIES.

breast, for legs ; wings, slips from the light brown web of
a feather in the snipe or starling's wing.

The red ant fly plants her colony on the ground, in or
near woods, and often on the sloping banks of rivers and
small streams, in dry and sheltered places, there they find
protection and materials for building their city, which is
composed of small pieces of dried sticks, straws, stones, and
dead leaves, etc., which they form into mounds or beds,
with passages into the interior, extending the suburbs as
the citizens increase. There are several beds in Macker-
shaw, on the Skell, and in Magdalen's wood opposite Hack-
fall, on the Ure. Their sizes vary in different situations ;
the largest are found in the dells and sheltered places on
the edges of the moors. Near Mr. CaJ vert's stone quarry,
in Skellgill, there are several beds, and the ants are larger
than those below. The winged portion begin to leave their
colony next month in vast swarms ; the country people
sometimes see them take wing on warm sultry days, which,
they say, is prognostic of wet weather. They are a mar-
vellous insect ; the Supreme has written their everlasting
laws, which they all instinctively obey, and the power that
entailed labour upon them made that labour voluntary.
There is a large bed just within the low fence of the plan-
tation in Mall White, well worth the walk to see. The
scriptural mandate, "Go to the ant," etc., may be applied
generally, for — as well as their lessons of industry — they
cannot but create the most lively feelings of admiration and
wonder in all who behold them.

78TH. — WHITE-LEGGED DUN. — Full length about three-
eighths; feelers three-eighths, rankly marked light and
dark ; wings a dark brown dun or chocolate hue, with light
reddish touches; eyes, shoulders, and body, dark brown
dun, almost black ; part of thighs, legs, and feet, a dull
white. When looked through to the light is of a dark dun

JUNE. 67

bloa hue, except the legs, which show light. They are
hatching this month, and may be seen through the next and
into autumn, flying about the waters, at seven p.m.

Wings from a dark broken feather from the moorcock or
snipe ; slaty ashy silk for body ; and a light gingery hackle
with a black stripe down the middle for legs.

79TH.— DOTTEREL DUN.— Full length, five-eighths;
length, three-eighths ; feelers half an inch ; head, breast,
shoulders, thighs, legs, and feelers, a dim honey dun tinge,
or the hue of the tawny part of hare's fur ; body the same,
but tinged leady ; wings not downy, and narrow, close more
cylindrical, like the browns, and answering in shade to the
outside of a dotterel's wing ; eyes dark or black. Hatches
early this month, and may be seen wheeling to and fro over
the water on fine evenings, at six p.m., through July.

Body, etc., copper-colored silk, slightly tinged with water
rat's fur ; winged and legged with a dotterel's feather, or
winged with slips and a few fibres of mohair or hare's ear,
wrought in at the breast.

80TH.— BLACK ANT FLY.43— Full length, about three-
eighths and one-sixteenth ; length near a quurter ; has two
pairs of wings, the top ones better than a quarter, under-
wings one-eighth and one-sixteenth, both stand on the
shoulder, one just behind the other ; the fore-legs are at
the breast of the same shoulder, the other four on the joint
next the body. The wings fold flat over the body, and
appear of a silvery whiteness, and glassy transparency,
with a few small dark veins ; head, shoulders, and body, a
black Japan color and brightness ; legs and feelers, dark
ale transparency.

Wings, a silvery grizzle cock's hackle ; dark blood red

(43) The imitation of this variety of the ant tribe is of little service to the
angler, and is consequently but seldom employed.

68 LIST OF FLIES.

or black silk, well waxed, for body, etc. ; with a few fibres
of dark red mohair at the breast for legs.

The black ant selects for her dwelling the roots of large
oak or other trees, that are decayed, or have openings suf-
ficient to admit them ; she is constantly busy, and has her
time of swarming, like the red ant. There is a community
of them within the roots of a large oak tree, that stands
close to the stile by the footpath near Masterman's cottage,
going to Whitcliffe. Some may be seen with wings, the
beginning of next month ; they are tender and susceptible
of cold, only coming out freely on warm soft days, and
most towards evening.

NOTE FOR JUNE. — This radiant remnant of the spring
consigns her vast handiworks to summer, and mazy multi-
tudes of insects are on the wing both day and night. The
rising sun rouses the day tribes, and its setting rays rise
those of the night. The Empress and fairy queen enter the
month in full force : the Empress, with her nocturnal allies,
revel through the short twilight of night, which is as fish-
able as the day. The amber drake, with all her kindred of
red drakes ; the red dun, with all her nightly trains of duns,
throng the waters, and are taken by the fishes, through the
shades of night ; but the princely trout prefers the Imperial
fly. The fairy queen, with the day tribes — the browns,
drakes, and duns, spinners, house flies, and beetles, revel
their rounds through the lengthy light warm day, but when
the Queen appears in sunny spendour she eclipses all, and
foils the craftsman's mimic art ; and, be it remembered,
that foul days for the Queen are fine days for the Empress.
The vast variety of flies — their various times of hatching,
and appearance on the water— with the varying tastes of
the fish — render variety the order of the day, extending
through the night. On seasonable days, in the morning
part, when flies are thin on the water, the black gnat, needle

JULY. 69

brown, and house fly, may be tried, along with the hackles.
In the forenoon the aquatics of last month are hatching and
out, when the light mottled, and bloa browns, the check-
wing (hatching numerous, and probably the best), light and
dark drakes, may be tried ; and as they decline, in the
afternoon, tribes of smaller flies increase ; when the needle
and yellow brown (yellow Sally), little light, and little dark
drakes (some in their red dresses), the little freckled dun,
black and blue gnats, etc., may be fished until or after sun-
set, when the larger drakes and duns come out for twilight
fishing. Any of these flies may be changed for any of the
others, during fishing hours, as circumstances may require ;
and any that are not taken, change for those that are — for
change and variety is the order of the day.

JULY.

THE stars of the spring are fading, but their splendour
remains in the trout ! Fat and capricious, the gilded mon-
arch selects his fulth from the good things that surround
him. When hot droughty days drain the streams to the
springs, when flies disperse through the warm air, and soar
up aloft with the swallow, the crystal streams are bare, and
bad to lure is the cunning quick-eyed trout. Seek him in
his brooks and shaded retreats — screened from his view,
dib in his round with finest tackle the living house fly ; in
the evenings and twilight ply him with the duns, the drakes,
and the moths. After loud thunders and reeking rains
freshen and revive nature, float over the dark waters the
welcome fly, or jerk in his glimpse the glishing minnow,
nor leave him alone in his glory !

70 LIST OF FLIES.

81ST.— SPOTTED WHISK DRAKE. — Length a quarter;
wings a quarter, which are fine and of a light blue bloa
tinge ; shoulders strong, and, with the body, are of a dark
red brown color ; legs a pale ale or gingery transparency ;
large dark eyes ; whisks a light hair-like transparency,
spotted with dark.

Body orange silk, waxed; hackled with a small snipe
bloa feather, or from the tern or sea swallow ; with a few
fibres of light red mohair or squirrel's fur at the breast.

After casting becomes a small red drake ; hackled, for
wings and legs, with a small red cock's hackle ; orange silk
.for body, waxed at the shoulders.

82ND. — FRINGED DUN. — Full length a quarter ; length
one-eighth and one-sixteenth ; top wings a light cigar brown
color, and bloaish transparency, fringed long at the edges ;
legs and body a red brown transparency ; eyes dark. Are
out and hatching in the day time.

May be hackled with a feather selected from the dotterel
or sandpiper ; copper-colored silk, with a few fibres of
hare's ear or squirrel's fur at the breast.

83RD. — ORANGE BROWN.— Full length better than half
an inch ; length about three-eighths ; feelers a quarter,
notched light and dark ; eyes small and dark ; top of head,
shoulders, and closed wings appear of a middle brown, of
an orange tinge ; shoulders, body, and legs are orange bot-
tom, touched and marked with light brown ; wings three-
eighths or better ; veined from the shoulders, and crossed
half length ; are of a pale reddish brown or light amber
tinge — a rich orange hue and transparency pervades the
whole of the fly. They are hatching this month, and are
out daily to near evening until October.

Hackled or winged with a landrail's feather ; bright
orange silk for body ; with a few fibres of mohair or squir-
rel's fur at the breast.

JULY. 71

84TH.— LIGHT PIED DUN.— Full length, about three-
eighths and one-sixteenth. Top wings covered and fringed
with a fine fawn-colored down, which glistens in the sun
with coppery and gilded reflections, and are of a darkish
red brown transparency. Feelers five-eighths, spotted rank
light and dark ; forehead and legs white, with sprinklings
of darker, and has white strokes on the wings, same as the
dark pied dun ; body coppery, with a purple tinge. They
are hatching this month ; numbers may be seen flying about
and running on the battlements of North Bridge, at seven
o'clock on fine evenings, to the end of August.

Wings from the landrail or bronzy yellow-brown hen ;
coppery silk for the body, slightly tinged, white for the
head ; legged with a yellow white hen hackle or hairs from
the hare's ear.

85TH.— GREY DUN. — Full length, five-eighths; length,
near half an inch ; top wings a light grey freckle — like the
ends of the feathers on the back of the yellow owl — and of
a yellowish dim transparency ; under-wings plain bloa ;
thighs, legs, breast, and feelers a honey or dull copper color;
body, blue dun. Was taken from under a stone by the
water's edge, just hatched, about the middle of this month,
but has not been seen since. Is a fine fleshy fly, equal in
size to the light and dark duns, of which it may be a
variety. There is a smaller species, about half an inch full
length, and nearly the same in colors, out at the same time.

Wings may be found in the light freckled feathers of the
mallard ; body copper-colored silk, tinged with water-rat's
fur ; and legged with a yellow dun hen hackle.

86TH. — CORAL-EYED DRAKE. — Length, near three-
eighths ; wings the same, of a fine slaty bloa tinge ; legs,
whisks, shoulders, and body, a dim amber ground and trans-
parency ; touched with brown or darkish coral-red on the
top of the shoulders and down the back ; eyes round and

72 LIST OF FLIES.

cockling, like two little coral shot-corns. Hatches in good
numbers the latter part of this month, and continues through
the next. After casting her skin she is a very neat and
cockish fly. Her wings are clear, sparkling with red tinges;
large eyes, cockling, round, and red ; shoulders, body, and
legs, light amber ground ; top of shoulders and down the
back a darkish coral red ; two or three longish whisks.
Their creepers are numerous, and may be found under
stones just within the water's edge. They shew the dark
wings through their thin skins, which, when cast off, appear
almost colorless, and dry white.

Hackled for wings in the first state with a light blue bloa
or blue dun feather from the water-rail or sea swallow ;
pale amber silk for body, headed with a round of the red
part of a small strand in the eye of a peacock's feather ;
legged with a few fibres of squirrel's fur or mohair. Second
state : winged and legged with a fine amber cock's hackle.

87TH. — PALE BLUE DRAKE.44 — Length about a quarter ;
wings the same ; altogether of a light dull pale blue color.
She throws off her swaddlings and shews her glistening
wings and blue dun body and legs.

Hackled in her first state with a light blue dun feather
from the tern, and light ashy blue silk for body. Second
state : light blue cock's hackle for wings and legs.

88TH. — BRONZE BEETLE. — Full length a quarter ; head,
shoulders, and body black ; top wings a light brassy shine,
with small dabs or marks of darker, and of dim amber trans-
parency, shewing the dark touches ; under-wings clear, of

(44) During the summer months there are a variety of pale duns which answer
to the author's description of this fly. Mr. Ronalds gives it among his flies for Sep-
tember under the name of the " Little Pale Blue Dun " ; Jackson also gives it in Sep-
tember as the " Light Olive Bloa," but I cannot imderstand why he styles it " Olive,"
as his dressing is essentially similar to the author's ; I never found it a very killing
fly, being too delicate to imitate effectively.

JULY. 73

a brown tinge ; honey glistening legs. Out on fine days,
often in good numbers, into autumn.

Head, shoulders, and body, black silk; wings a slightly
broken feather from an old bright bronzy yellow brown
hen ; legged with a few fibres of mohair.

89TH.— LITTLE BROWN DUN.« — Full length, rather bet-
ter than three-eighths ; wings near three-eighths, top ones
a dark whalebone brown, set round the ends with small
light spots ; shoulders and body a dark dull brown, belly
rather lighter ; legs and thighs a dim fleshy transparency ;
wings a bloaish transparency ; feelers spotted light and
dark. Are hatching and breeding and out in the evening,
about six o'clock, wheeling in small groups to and fro, just
over the water. There is another small brown dun,trather
less than a quarter.

Hackled, for wings, with a small slightly freckled feather
from the moorcock ; with a few fibres of red brown fur or
mohair at the breast ; body, deep coppery silk, waxed.

90TH. — LATE BLACK SPINNER, GNAT, OR FLY.46 — Full

(45) "Brown Silver-horns" of Francis; "Light Silver -horns" of Jackson ;
not mentioned in Ronalds, although he gives the black and shining black varieties.
On the Wharfe the local anglers usually dress this fly hacklewise with feather from
a thrush's wing and ruddy brown silk, I have killed some good grayling with this
pattern used as an evening fly.

(46) This is the autumn edition of that diminutive insert usually denominated
the " angler's curse," and a very appropriate title it is, for when the surface of the
stream is literally boiling with fish rising at the black midge, nothing will induce
them to even look at the imitation ; I have a vivid recollection of one day in parti-
cular, when Mr. Marston (editor of tho Fishing Gazette) and myself spent the whole
of a September day upon the Wharfe, exercising our utmost skill and patience for
the grand result of a brace and a half of small fish ; on all sides of us large grayling
were rising in real earnest at this little pest, but although we employed the firest
of drawn gut, and the most minute of artificials, we might as well have thrown in
our hats. The following patterns were afterwards sent to me by Mr. Marston, they
were recommended to that gentleman by Mr. Hall, of Bristol, and I append them
for the benefit of such of my readers who may feel inclined to try their skill during
a visitation of the " curse."

No. 1. Body, two strands of a turkey's tail feather ; hackle, from a starling ;
wings, ditto.

74 LIST OF FLIES.

length, a quarter ; wings not so much, which are of a clear
inky tinge, and fold over the back like those of the blue
gnat; body black, more cylindrical and rather longer;
shoulders a bright Japan black ; legs black. Out all day
to near the end of the season.

Body, black silk ; wings and legs a neck feather from the
cock-pheasant or starling.

NOTE. — The empress declines, and the needle yellow and
orange brown are all that remain of her kindred. The
needle and yellows are hatching and on the water daily in
great numbers ; the orange are not so numerous, but are
rarely refused by the trout. All the various sized drakes
for small flyfishing — the checkwing, and wings of all shades,
from the pale blue dun of the tern to the dark plum hue of
the water-hen and coot — are hatching and taken by the
fish, in the day time and again in the evening, in their
second dresses. The little freckled duns are hatching very
numerous, and the spinner tribes in great numbers and
varieties. The spinner and black and yellow spinner may
be fished natural, for the fish are in the midst of living food ;
and the trout, like the lion, " feeds on nothing that doth
seem as dead." Flights of ants and the pismire tribes are
common this month. The beetle and house fly tribes have
their turns with the fish. The wily craftsman strives to
fall in with the favorite, when he marks the fish rising, and
notes each flitting fly ; for the flies and the fish must lead
him the way. At this high temperature of the air, the

No. 2. Body, two strands of a magpie's tail feather ; wings and hackle, starling.

No. 3. As No. 2, but employing the scales of a pike for the wings.

No. 4. Body, heron's feather ; hackle, dark starling. I may add that the flies,
or rather midges, dressed according to the above patterns, which Mr. Marston kindly
sent for my inspection, were simply perfection ; they were, I believe, dressed by Mr.
Hall himself, and were tied upon the patent-eyed hooks which were invented by that
gentleman. No. 3 was a triumph of art, the pike's scales exactly imitating the
wings of the natural insect ; the hooks are, however, necessarily so very small, that
when the fish is hooked, the chance of landing him is extremely remote, consequently
I do not consider that " the game is worth the candle."

JULY. 75

aquatic flies are strong at hatching, and on seasonable days
soon out of the reach of the fish. The red drakes and the
duns come out numerous for evening and twilight fishing.
The bustard enters the month in full force, and may be fished
so long as she continues. In the early part of the season when
flies are few, fish rise freely and give good sport ; but, as the
vital heat of the sun keeps increasing so do the flies ; and
after the fish are fatted with the stone fly, green drake,
etc., the sport languishes, and July and August, the two
centre months, and most salubrious of the season, are gene-
rally considered the worst for flyfishing ; the variety of food
and easy circumstances of the fish, lessen the chance of suc-
cess, and require the flyfisher to be more particular and
nearer the mark than in the spring. Good imitations of
the favorite flies, fished naturally at their time of hatching,
can only keep pace with the choice of the fish, and on
healthsome cool breezy days, which whet up their appetites,
the flyfisher may have good sport.

AUGUST.

THE lofty swift prunes her wing for departure, first index
to a change. No longer do sportive swarms of flies feed
her in her airy tracks. Numbers of tiny tribes now end
their summer trip ; and less and less are the numbers that
succeed ; but still the waters, the storehouses of the angler,
pour forth daily supplies. "All's fish that comes to the
net." Trout, grayling, and smelt ! how beautiful to the
flyfisher as he dishes them from his pannier. The full-ripe
trout feeds secure at the bottom, or with majestic caution
rises scrupulous at the well scanned fly ; or like the mon-
arch of the wood, " fleshes his tooth " in his nightly prowls.
G

76 LIST OF FLIES.

Grayling range the stills, watching the streams and catch-
ing the food they bring. The reckless young smelt springs
boldly at the maggoted hook, an easy prey for the tyro.

From the beginning of the season to the present month,
the sun seems to have about finished his annual work of
reproduction of the insect tribes, and such angling flies as
are now in existence, or may hatch or come upon the waters
during the remainder of the season, are continuations (or
the second swarms) of those species that have been described
in the list. Some of the later flies slightly differ from those
of the spring, in sizes and shades, and may or may not be
of the same species, but not to entitle them to other names,
which might render the list less distinct and clear. The
waters are full of creepers, and numbers of flies are hatch-
ing daily, particularly drakes and duns, the former the most
numerous in the day time, which, with their changes of
colors, long and short whisks, long fore legs, case and round
eyes, etc., present many varieties for examination and copy.

The following extracts from Note-books may best shew
the flies, etc., that are hatching and on the water during
the remaining months of the season. They were written
from observation, made on or about the days mentioned, in
many different years.

EXTRACTS FROM NOTE BOOKS,

AUGUST FIRST.

Checkwing. — Rather larger and lighter in shades than the
spring description. Wings distinctly crossed and tinged
to the shoulders with dull pale yellow ; head, top of shoul-
ders, and down the back, light yellow green or pale brown
olive ; a dark line on the lower edge of each joint of the
body, crosses the back and slants on the side to the next
joint. Throat, breast, belly, and legs a greenish yellow ;
eyes dark. Is a thick, fleshy, fine fly ; one cast its skin in
the flybox, which changed it to the red drake. Length,
near half an inch ; wings clear, squared, and sparkling,
with red and amber towards the shoulders. Legs, head,
shoulders and body, light red or ambry foundation, touched
on the upper parts with dark red or brown, shewing the
slanting lines on the sides.

Blue drake. — Not so large as the spring flies. Length,
a quarter and near a sixteenth. Wings fine, and of the blue
dun tinge ; top of head, shoulders, and body, dark ashy
hue, joints edged with lighter ; belly and breast a blue dun
tinge; legs a pale ale transparency, darkest to the feet.
Taken from under a large leaf, that grows by the water
sides, where many of the aquatic flies take rest after hatch-
ing. The blue drake, which hatches in cold weather,
appears to cast off three protective skins. After the first
she is of a lighter shade, and a smarter fly ; second she is
orange ; and the third or last, when in a state of nudity or
stripped to the (true) skin, a lemon or straw color. Exam-
ined one taken June 5th, at seven p.m. : length three-

78 LIST OF FLIES.

eighths ; whisks, three-eighths ; wings fine and clear, of a
faint smoky tinge ; veins small ; eyes small and dark, or
black.

Iron blue drake. — Took one off a leaf, which cast its skin
in the flybox, and became the pearl drake.

Pearl drake. — In small groups, flying up and down, or
laying their eggs on the water daily. (The iron blue and
her counterpart continue numerous through the month).

Little dark drake. — Hatching (another variety), length
rather above a quarter ; wings, the dark and leady hue ;
body and legs a yellowish olive brown.

Orange brown. — Hatching and out all fine days.

Light drake. — Hatching and out. Length a quarter (under
the wing of judcock, with lemon colored silk).

Freckled dun. — Hatching and out in the daytime.

Little freckled dun. — Hatching very numerous, and out in
the daytime.

Golden-legged beetle. — Out in the daytime.

Bloa brown. — Orange thighs — the same in spring. Seems
of another genus, probably the cleg.

Needle browns. — Hatching in great numbers, and out all
day.

Dark drake (watchet). — Hatching in good numbers, and a
first favorite. Took one, which cast its skin in the flybox,
and became the red drake. A sparkling and lively fly ;
out in good numbers in the evening ; saw several on the
North Bridge, Eipon, at seven p.m.

Light pied duns. — Out in the evenings ; saw several on
the North Bridge, at seven p.m.

FIFTH.

Coral-eyed drake. — Hatching and out in the daytime.
Took several from under stones, in the evening, apparently
hatched in the afternoon ; one of them cast its skin in the

*
AUGUST. 79

flybox. The cast off skin was very thin and nearly color-
less, except when dried it looked white.

Checkwing. — Out and hatching. Took several from under
stones, as if just hatched.

Black drake. — Nearly same as first ; length only a quarter.

Slack dun. — Hatching.

Needle brown, little freckled dun. — Out and hatching ;
numerous all day.

Early dun. — Hatching and out. Full length three-eighths .
Light patch on the top edge of the wings.

Spinner. — In great numbers by the water sides and in the
fields, all day, in their best perfection of size and summer
beauty ; of azure tints and rich transparencies.

Red ant fly. — On the water; full length, a quarter.

Black and yellow spinner. — Out until evening.

Orange brown. — Out until evening.

Dark drake (watchet). — Hatching freely and for some
time back.

Light drake , black drake. — Hatching in the middle hours
of the day.

Light pied duns. — Out in the evenings.

Little red drake, dark red drake. — Out in the evenings.

TENTH.

Blue drake, iron blue drake, pearl drake, little red drake,
and needle brown. — Great numbers of these flies struggling
alive in spider webs and on posts and rails, by the water
sides, at three p.m.

Blue spinner or gnat. — Hatching in great numbers ; several
on the under side of a single stone, taken up by the hand
from the edge of the water, when they had just come out.

FIFTEENTH.
Pied duns. — Numbers out in the evening.

80 LIST OF FLIES.

Orange brown. — Full length, half an inch and near a six-
teenth. Out plentiful.

Least freckled duns. — Vast numbers at six p.m., running
in the sunshine, on walls, etc., near the water.

Checkwing. — Hatching, some a shade darker.

Red drake. — Out in the daytime, and assemble in the
evening.. Slanting lines on the sides.

Needle brown. — Numbers out and hatching. Brimstone
colored backs, light grizzle legs, and steely blue wings.

TWENTIETH.

Blue drake. — Length, a quarter. Hatching numerous.

Blue spinner or gnat. — Out and hatching, increasing to
great numbers towards evening.

Spinner. — Out through the day, but most numerous
towards evening.

Black ants. — On the water in the afternoon until evening.

Needle brown, little freckled dim. — Hatching and out in
great numbers until evening.

Orange brown. — Out and hatching.

Red ant. — Saw several beds at Mr. Cal vert's stone quarry,
in Skellgill ; length, a quarter and a sixteenth to three-
eighths. None with wings. Their eggs large, like small
maggots. Opened a pismire bed at the same place, full of
bright amber pismires, and numbers of them with thin
glassy clear wings.

Light pied duns. — Out in the evening.

Late black spinner or gnat. — Out all day.

TWENTY-FIFTH.

Little dark drake. — Length, a quarter ; wings, a dark red-
dish water-hen hue ; legs, whisks, and body light red brown,
with a dark spot on each joint of the body, along each side;
eyes dark and goggling ; longish fore-legs. A cockish,
sprightly fly.

AUGUST. 81

Checkwing. — Hatching ; length, three-eighths ; slanting
dark lines on the sides. Altogether of a brown ambry
transparency.

Light dun. — Full length, half an inch to near five-eighths;
wings of the onion peel tinge, with light freckles ; back and
thighs tinged ashy ; belly, bees'-wax or wheat corn color ;
legs and feelers light red brown. Hatch in the daytime,
and are out numerous in the evenings, from eight to ten.

Little dark red drake. — Length a quarter ; shoulders dark
or black ; yellow epaulettes on the sides of shoulders ; small
light spots along each side ; wings finely crossed, glassy,
and sparkling ; long fore-legs.

Light drake. — Out and hatching in the daytime.

White bustard. — Took one — very late.

Dark drake (watchet). — Out and hatching, many on spider
webs.

THIRTIETH.

Needle browns. — Hatching and out in great numbers in
their best perfection. Full length of some, three-eighths
and a sixteenth, or more ; orange bodied, with black spots,
and snipe bloa wings.

Red ant. — Full length better than a quarter. Saw num-
bers on the North Bridge at ten a.m. Wings near a quar-
ter, tinged brown ; body and legs red brown.

Orange brown. — Out ; saw some on the North Bridge.
Cream-colored eggs on the last joints of the belly.

Light pied duns. — Out at seven p.m.

Red drakes. — Saw some on the North Bridge at seven p.m.
large and beautiful, like amber drakes, and numbers of
small grey earwigs at the same time.

Dark red drakes. — Out ; length, a quarter and a sixteenth;
wings rather more, clear, and scarcely visible but for the red
tinges ; three notched whisks ; shoulders a darkish red ;
' body a shade lighter ; legs gingery.

82 LIST OF FLIES.

Black ant flies. — Numbers struggling on spider webs wove
in the angles of posts and rails by the water sides, where
numbers of the larger, as well as the smallest flies of the
day, are held fast in their fine fibred toils. Ambry at the
feet and end of body.

Red ant fly. — Took one off a spider's web at Eobin Hood,
which sparkled in the sun with fire and gold, and of a dull
amber transparency. Full length, near three-eighths ; wings
an amber tinge.

Red dun. Full length, three-quarters ; length, half an
inch ; feelers, half an inch. Altogether of a dullish red or
ambry hue; upper parts a shade darker. Body nearly
cylindrical, with a few short hairs round the last joint ; top
wings slightly broken with veins and faint freckles ; under
wings thin and uniform, of a light shade of amber when
looked through to the light, a red ambry tinge altogether.
This fly was hatched in a water pot. The creeper was put
in in May or June, and soon after fastened itself to the
side, near the bottom, and was hatched on the 18th inst.
The pot stood in the garden, and the fly was found float-
ing on the water, alive and perfect, with its empty creeper
skin beside it, and its empty artificial case fast to its original
place. The pot was covered with a piece of gauze, fastened
to a wire hoop, to prevent escape.

Late black gnat. — Out in the daytime.

NOTE FOR AUGUST. — The change of temperature of the
air begins to tell on insects this month, and swarms of the
tender tribes are swept oif, but the waters continue full of
creepers, the constant breeders are unimpaired, and the sec-
ond swarms of some are turning out more numerous than
the first. The extracts for the month are taken from notes
made on fishing days and other times of research and obser-
vation, during the seasons of many years, which, after num-
berless close examinations and corrections, formed the foun-
dation of the list of flies. The aquatic flies mentioned in them

SEPTEMBER. 83

this month are hatching and on the water, more or less, every
day. The orange and needle browns are the only ones, of
the stone fly class, that remain ; the needles in their varie-
ties and best perfection ; and the orange browns, are excel-
lent for trout through the day. The drakes are numerous
in species and varieties, particularly the smaller tribes,
which swell their numbers above any other class. The
checkwing, light and dark drakes (watchets) in their grades
of sizes and shades, with the iron blues, are hatching on the
surface of the water, in the fore and afternoons, when many
are snapped by the fishes, in the face of the unconscious
angler, before they have used their wings. The duns are
hatching ; the second swarms of the light and freckled are
turning out ; which, with the little freckled dun, may be
tried in the daytime, and again in the evening. The spin-
ners are numerous, and good natural baits. The ants some-
times fall numerous on the waters this month, and are
greedily taken by the fish.

SEPTEMBER.

THE sun, with his summer, is departing, but leaves a full
lap to declining autumn. Trout, the prince of the sport,
is on the wane, the hour of his prime and his beauty is pas-
sing. The merry Smelt and gliding Grayling mingle their
charms with the lovely days of autumn. The air becomes
thinned of towering tribes of tiny flies ; but the waters —
the wonderful waters ! — half the life of our globe, which
fosters in fields of ice the huge leviathan, and nurtures in
its warm bosom the tender summer-bred fly, pours out its
motley stores. Swallows flock on the house top, meditat-
ing their long flight, and the martins mingle at even in the
willows their sonorous departing song.

8-1- LIST OF FLIES.

SEPTEMBER FOURTH.

Orange brown, needle brown, dark drake, light drake (length
a quarter), iron blue drake, little dark drake (quarter or better),
checkwing, coral-eyed drake. — All out and hatching in the
daytime. Numbers may be seen, in fine weather, in spiders'
webs. The drakes cast their skins, and are most numerous
about the waters a little before and after sunset. The
checkwing is the finest ; and the red drake nearly equal to
the amber.

Blue drake. — Some near the size of the spring flies, but
of browner shades, hatching in good numbers ; one cast its
skin and became the orange drake. Took one off a spider's
web, length near three-eighths ; wings three-eighths and a
sixteenth, crossed into squares with fine lines, which alone
made them visible ; eyes like two light pearl pellets. Top
of shoulders red ; lighter down the back, and growing
lighter to the belly; legs a pale dim amber; whisks an
inch, and spotted. (Suppose the pearl-colored eyes not
natural).

Little brown dun. — Wheeling over the water in small
groups, at six p.m.

Foeted dun. Saw one similar, out in the day time.

Light dun. — Full length, half an inch and a sixteenth ;
yellow brown freckled wings ; body, legs, and feelers, amber.
Hatching and out, numerous, at 9 a.m.

Red dun. — Hatching daily, and out in the evenings.

Spinners. — Out numerous, and in best perfection.

Blue spinner or gnat. — Hatching, and out very numerous
towards evening, flying and wheeling just over the water,
like the black gnats in May and June.

House fly, cowdung or lion fly, bank fly. — Out from morn-
ing till night.

Golden-legged beetle, bronze beetle. — Out in the daytime.

Red ant fly. — On the water. Two pair of light fine trans-
parent wings, of a bright brown tinge ; shoulders and body

SEPTEMBER. 85

dark red brown, brightening to amber at the end of the
body.

TENTH.

Orange brown. — Hatching and out, laying their eggs on
the water, in the daytime.

Needle brown. — Hatching and out, very numerous all the
day.

Dark drake. — Hatching and out. Wings a dark red plum
hue, much crossed, the small ones conspicuous ; large case
eyes ; body, a dark plum hue and orange bottom, with
darker marks on the sides ; legs a dim red fleshy trans-
parency.

Little red drake. — Out in the daytime, and numerous in
the evenings.

Blue drake. — Length, a quarter to near three-eighths ;
wings, smoky blue dun ; body, dark brown red, lighter at
each joint ; small head ; thickish shoulders ; faint dark
spots on the sides.

Hackled with a small feather from under the wing of
judcock, pale amber silk, with hare's ear.

Checkwing. — Hatching. Wings, darkish ; longish fore-
legs ; case eyes ; and slanting dark lines on the sides.

Red drake. — Out in the daytime and evenings. Length,
about three-eighths ; wings, clear and crossed, with amber
glishes ; body, amber ground, touched on the upper parts
with Turkey red ; dark slanting lines on the sides, and case
eyes. (The checkwing before casting).

Pearl drake. — In groups at ten a.m., flying up and down,
and laying their eggs on the water all day.

Least freckled dun. — Very numerous on fine days and
sunny evenings, when they may be seen running on walls,
bridges, etc., by the water sides.

Light dun. — Hatching and out at seven p.m.

White-legged dun. — Full length, a quarter and a sixteenth.
Out in the daytime.

86 LIST OF FLIES.

Spinner, blue spinner or gnat, late black spinner or gnat. —
Out, and most numerous towards evening.

Bank fly, housefly, lion fly, blue bottle, bronze beetle, golden-
legged beetle. Out all fine days.

Red ant fly. Full length, near half an inch ; length, near
three-eighths, one pair of wings strongly veined half way
up, and the lower half of thick brown transparency, the
upper half more clear. Shoulders about the same thick-
ness as the body, red brown color. Taken in the evening
off Bondgate Bridge, Eipon.

FIFTEENTH TO TWENTIETH.

Orange brown, needle brown. — Out and hatching.

Checkwing. Hatching in best perfection. Length, half
an inch ; wings, half an inch and a sixteenth, squared, and
of light ambry brown ; body, dim orange or amber, touched
darker on the back, etc., with slanting dark lines on the
sides.

Red drake (checkwingj. — Length, half an inch ; wings,
half an inch and a sixteenth, of the ambry hue, with slant-
ing dark lines on the sides.

Dark drake (watchet). — Hatching. (A leader with the
craft).

Red drake (from the watchet). — Length, three-eighths ;
long fore-legs ; out in the daytime and evenings.

Blue drake. — From a quarter to three-eighths, of the brown
tinge. Out and hatching. Numbers of empty creeper skins
by the water edges.

Little red drake. — Length a quarter, some more ; long fore
legs. Out in the daytime and evenings.

Little dark drake. — Hatching, and out numerous in the
daytime.

Iron blue drake. — Hatching daily.

Pearl drake. — Out daily.

Light dnn. — Half an inch to five-eighths. Hatching in
the daytime, and out in numbers in the evening.

SEPTEMBER. 87

Freckled dun. — Out and hatching.

Little brown dun. — Hatching and out. Some three-eighths.
Cigar-brown wings • amber body, tinged pink.

Spinner (smaller species ). — Out about the waters and in
the fields all day, often numerous.

Late, black spinner or gnat. — Many out all day.

House, lion, and bank flies, blue bottle, golden-legged, bronze
beetle. — Out all fine days.

TWENTY-FIFTH.

Orange brown. — Full length, near half an inch and a six-
teenth ; wings, transparent ground, of a brown tinge, veined
and crossed from the shoulders about half the length ; back
a rich dim yellow ; breast, belly, and sides, tinged and
touched darker ; legs a dim orange, darkest at the joints.

Needle brown. — Hatching, breeding, and laying their eggs
on the water, in great numbers, and best perfection. Eggs
a cream color, on the last joints of the body.

Checkwing. — Hatching in good numbers and best perfec-
tion.

Red drake.— Fine and large. Length half an inch ; wings
half an inch ; whisks an inch. Long fore-legs, slanting
dark lines on the sides ; amber body, with touches of darker
on the upper parts ; wings clear and crossed, reflecting red
amber and gild. Out in the evenings.

Dark drake (watcliet). — Hatching.

Red drake (from the watchet). — Out in the daytime, but
most in the evenings.

Iron blue drake. — Hatching.

Pearl drake. — Out in the daytime.

Light drake. — Length a quarter. Wings of the light
smoky blue of the sea swallow ; body and legs a light dim
yellow. Hatching. After casting, a light red.

Little dark drake. — Hatching. Length, a quarter or bet-
ter ; amber body, mottled with darker ; and fine dark purple

88 LIST OF FLIES.

water-hen wings. One cast its skin in the flybox ; amber
body, touched on the upper parts with fine dark brown ;
wings clear, glistening with red reflections,

Little red drake.- — Out numerous, many on spider webs.

Little brown dun. — Out. Full length about three-eighths ;
brown, downy, fringed wings, with marks of lighter shade ;
body leady, and thickish in the middle ; legs light.

Freckled dun. — Hatching, and out in the daytime. Full
length five-eighths ; length three-eighths ; top wings freckled
with dark brown and fawn color ; under-wings broad, and
of a uniform blue bloa tinge ; body fleshy and cylindrical,
which, with the thighs, is of a leady hue, with the light side
lines ; legs lighter. When held to the light, is of a red
brown tinge, showing the dark freckle on the wings.

Light dun. — Full length three quarters ; length half an
inch ; feelers half an inch ; eyes black ; all the other parts
of a light ambry bees'-wax hue ; top wings slightly broken
with faint marks and freckles. When held to the light, of
a dim ambry tinge, shewing the freckle on the top, and
plainness of the under-wings.

This fly was hatched in a water-pot, on the 26th instant,
from a cod-bait creeper, which was put in the pot in May ;
water six or seven inches deep. It soon fixed itself to the
side of the pot, near the bottom. Fresh water was put in
night and morning, or rather oftener at first, and a gauze
cover over the pot. When hatched, was found on the under
side of the gauze cover, alive and perfect— the creeper skin
on the surface of the water, and the empty artificial case
attached to the pot where it first fixed.

Red dun. — Hatching, and out in the evenings and after
dark. Full length an inch ; wings seven-eighths.

Gravel spinner. — Found several flies on the under-sides of
stones, by the water's edge, resembling this fly ; round
shoulders, striped light and dark brown, and about the same
size and colors.

OCTOBER. 89

Spinner, little spinner. — Out among the grass most of the
latter part of the day.

House, lion, and bank flies, blue bottle, bronze beetle. — Out,
more or less, daily.

Several species of ear wigs out daily, three-eighths, black
ones probably the most numerous; and vast numbers of
dark midges, of the house fly shape, were pouring out of the
water, and may be found on the under-sides of loose stones
by the water's edge.

NOTE. — This is a good angling month, and may be called
the April of the later season. Trout, grayling, and smelt,
are all good, although the trout may be somewhat declining
and the others improving. Much of the summer top food
of the fish, flies, insects, etc., have disappeared, from the
change of temperature of the air, which has not affected
the waters ; they are full of creepers, and are turning out
numbers of flies daily. Many of the favorite aquatic flies
of spring are in full force and numbers this month. Their
shades of color must bem attended to, and their sizes and
parts natural in their imitations. The leaders for trout
are nearly the same as for last month — the orange and
needle browns, the checkwing, blue, dark, light, iron blue,
and coral-eyed drakes, are taken as they hatch and come on
the waters.

OCTOBER.

THE cold breath of Autumn which creeps up in the dark,
and shrivels the leaf, spares not the summer fly ; they
dwindle away with the declining warmth of the sun ; still
the waters, faithful to their trust, on genial days pour out

90 LIST OF FLIES.

their winged tribes. Grayling and smelt, fat and well
favored for the remainder of the season, furnish the sport
of the small flyfisher. Farewell, Trout ! my old and charm-
ing acquaintance, fare thee well in peace and security until
we meet in other days. Thou art the best trump in the
streams ; thy beauty, thy cunning, and thy courage, I ever
admired. How have I loved to tackle thee in the days of
thy freedom and prosperity. I have delighted to deceive
thee in thy prime and ruthless moments ; but I ever detested
the snare and the lyster ; nor is the grey fly* in my list.
Neither would I disturb thee in thy connubial joys, or per-
secute thee on those days when thy spirit is subdued by
adversity ; no ! I would then succour and protect thee. I
now beseech all men to spare the trout, take or touch him
not until the returning sun rouses him again to action.
Drained are the riches of his delicate flesh, and dimmed
and dusk his late lovely sides ; but a " change has come
o'er the spirit of his dream ; " a honey drop creeps in his
blood and fevers in his brain — one feeling influence the
females ; and an upward movement commences — the males
follow — when every matured trout in the broad trunk of
our river and all its branches, to the twig rills of the hills,
are in a state of emigration, higher up the waters.

OCTOBER FIRST.

Orange brown. — Out in small numbers.
Needle brown. — Numerous, hatching and breeding.
Checkwing. — Not many.
Dark drake, iron blue drake. — Hatching.
Light drake. — Hatching. Length, better than a quarter.
Sea swallow and orange, or yellow.

* Poachers' term for the Net.

OCTOBER. 91

Little dark drake. — Hatching.

Pearl drake. — Out in small groups on fine days and even-
ings.

Red drake, little red drake. — Out on fine days and evenings.

Light dun, freckled dun (numerous), little freckled dun.
Hatching, and out on fine days and evenings.

Red dun. — Out on fine evenings ; of a cinnamon hue.

Spinner. —Out on fine days.

Little spinner. — Numbers in fogs and grass on fine warm
days and evenings.

House, lion, and bank flies, blue bottle. — All out on fine
warm days.

SEVENTH.

Orange brown. — Few in numbers.

Needle brown. — Out, hatching, and breeding in full force
and numbers.

Dark, little dark, light, and iron blue drakes. — Hatching
and out on mild fine days.

Bed and little red drakes. — All out in the daytime when
it is fine.

Freckled dun. — Out in good numbers at noon.

Little freckled dun. — Out on mild fine days.

Light dun. — Full length half an inch. Wings a light red
brown ground, beautifully freckled with spots, patches, and
marks of a darker shade, and a light staddle on the upper
edges ; legs and body a light yellow soap transparency.
Hatching and out on fine days and warm evenings ; and
may be seen flying about the water or on the bridges after
sunset.

Spinner, little spinner. — (Jut in good numbers on fine days
and warm evenings.

House and lion flies. —Out numerous.

Blue bottle, bank fly. — Out on fine days.
H

92 LIST OF FLIES.

THIRTEENTH.

Same as the seventh, except the orange brown and iron
blue drake.

TWENTIETH.

Needle brown. — Same as the seventh or thirtieth of
August.

Little red drake. — Out in the daytime.

Dark, little dark, and light drakes. — -Hatching on fine warm
days.

Freckled dun. — Full length five-eighths; back leady ; belly
light ash, with brimstone-colored side lines ; top wings
freckled light and dark red brown, to look through of a
chesnut tinge, with shades of bloa. Numbers out at noon,
sporting about and running on the leaves of alder trees,
etc., by the water sides.

Red dun. —Out in the evenings. Full length an inch ;
cinnamon hue.

Light dun. — Out in the evenings, same as on the seventh.
Numbers on the North Bridge after sunset.

Little freckled dun. — Saw some out, weather very mild.

House and lion flies. — Out.

Bronze beetle. — Out numerous on fine days. Numbers
may be seen on the North Bridge ; and several of the ear-
wig species, the three-eighths black, most numerous.

Bank fly. — A few out at noon.

NOTE. — Leave we the trout, in his fence months, mon-
arch of his brooks — the Laver and Skell — and pass to the
spacious Ure — the track of the salmon and the home of the
grayling. Fish the resort of the smelt and the grayling,
but avoid the trout — kill not the goose for the golden egg
— and protect the fish as you would the fowl. All the flies
mentioned in the extracts for the month have been out or
hatching on or about the days mentioned in them. Towards

NOVEMBER. 93

the latter part of the month their existence hangs in the
balance, and, like the flyfisher's sport, depends on the
weather. The browns and drakes may best furnish the
favorites, with the lion, house fly, and bronze beetle. The
duns are much out on fine warm days and evenings ; and
the ear wigs are numerous. The needle and orange brown,
the dark and light drakes, with the small black silver and
golden hackles, may be fished in the daytime ; towards
evening, small red drakes and the duns.

NOVEMBER.

ARDENTLY the trout pursues his unknown and oft difficult
track, dams or obstructions, or the most furious rapids,
stop not the fury of their ardour. By the eve of St. Martin*
the lengthened lines halt ; the files take up their ground —
the chosen stream and place — their journey's end and sum-

* On the 28th of November there were some sharp splashes in the water a little
above Skellcrooks dam ; on peeping unperceived over the edge of the bank opposite
the place, ttere were several pairs of trout laid in the water. It happened to be
their spawning time. They were not in the descending or streamy part, but in the
tail-end of the deep above, where the water runs shallow over the gravel, similar to
the gtavelly shoal just above the North Bridge, where we see grayling spawn and
copulate the beginning of April. The female trout kept her station in the spawn-
ing bed, with but little motion, except every four or five minutes she ploughed up
the gravel with her nose, which seemed to be her own peculiar task. In doing this
she turned herself nearly on one side, and with very qutck motion of tail and body,
thrust her nose against the gravel, which swam down about her and muddied the
water, but showed the quick light glishes of her silvery sides. The male kept in
constant motion, about half to a full length behind, hovering over her and veering
from one side of her to the other, but could not perceive that he ever touched her.
His business seemed solely then to watch and protect her. He frequently and
furiously darted at other trout, which was the cause of the splashes in the water
that first attracted my notice. These attacks were sudden and quick as lightning,
they scarce could be seen before the male was with his mate again. The spawning
beds seemed rather hollow and the gravel bright. In about a week after, weather
and water much the same, there were no splashes, and the trout had settled into the
dam below.

94 LIST OF FLItiS.

mit of their joys. In a few days after the streams are
deserted ; no longer is the sovereign trout the companion
and compeer of the roughs and the rapids ; slimy and shrunk
in the still dungeons of the deeps, whither they congregate
for safety and for succour — dimmed, lank, and lousy, he
passes his cheerless Christmas, there to bide his time.
Grayling and smelt, the treasures of the Ure, may continue
to give sport to the flyfisher, in the frostless hours of noon,
if flies be on the wing.

November comes, when the remnants of annual life must
totter to their fall. Few are the flies and short the inter-
vals of flyfishing during the days of November, a noontide
hour or twain, and the curtain drops for the season.

NOVEMBER FIRST.

Needle brown. — Out daily in full numbers and perfection.

Light, dark, and little dark drakes. — Hatching and out on
fine warm days.

Red and little red drakes. — Out on warm days and even-
ings.

Light and freckled duns. — Out in the day and warm even-
ings. Found two or three of the latter under a stone, as if
just hatched ; length half an inch.

House and lion flies, and bronze beetle. — Out in good num-
bers, with the ear wigs.

Red dun. — Out on fine evenings.

TENTH.

All the same Flies as on the First.

TWENTIETH.

Needle brown. — On fine days in full numbers and best
perfection. Hatching, copulating, and laying their eggs on
the water.

NOVEMBER. 95

Light, dark, and little dark drakes. — Continue to hatch,
more or less, as the weather and water permit.

Bed and little red drakes. — Out on tine days, but less in
numbers.

Freckled and light duns. — Out on fine days and warm even-
ings, but not numerous.

lied dun. — Out on fine evenings.

House and lion flies, and bronze beetle. — Out in good num-
bers, on fine days, to the end.

Ear wigs. — Out numerous at the back end and close of
the season, when many fall on the waters, and are taken by
grayling and smelt. They vary from a quarter to half an
inch in length. Some are red, others jet black, and are
glossy. The short flappers of some are edged with amber,
and, in the sun, throw off short gilded reflections, from a
thin fine down. The three-eighths black are probably the
most numerous. The black silver and golden hackle will
imitate these insects if drest to shape and size.

NOTE. — The dark drakes bear cold days like the blue
drake in the spring. According to observations of many
years, the remnants at the close of the season are the needle
brown, lion and house fly, the bronze beetles, and the ear
wigs, with some small hardy gnats, beetles, etc., that are of
no use to the flyfisher. The angling flies have dwindled
away, a touch or two of frost and all the top food of the
fish will be swept off. The needles are the last to give
in ; and imitations of bygone flies will not prevail. The
fish will continue to rise so long as flies come naturally on
the water, but not longer ; they rarely rise in the absence
of all top food. The hardy winter craftsman with his
brandlings may pack his pannier with black fat grayling,
but the flyfisher's occupation is gone ; his flimsy foundations
have perished ; they were but a breath, subject to all the
skiey influences, which begins and ends their career ; and

96 LIST OF FLIES.

the genial breath of air that imparts vigour and action to
the flies, gives spirit and appetite to the fish.

FAREWELL, the homely village Inn ! and adieu to the
fisherman's revels ! Farewell, flyfishers ! The elements of
your art are all laid prostrate ; your sports get starved and
solitary, and gone are the days of its charms ; the scenes
are changed ; murky mists and rains, and ominous sable
clouds now darken the shortened day ; the torrent's roar
swells in the gale, and howls and rattles through the leaf-
less woods. The lightsome day, the leafy shade, and the
flowery banks, have passed away. The warblers have fled,
the lark, the blackbird, and the thrush, swelled their wild
carol — but now they are silent all. Fishermen, farewell !

AUTUMNAL GEAYLING FISHING.

COMING as it does at the close of the trout season, this
branch of flyfishing has many devotees among that class of
anglers who are impervious to the discomforts of the weather,
and who wish to continue their favourite sport to the end
of the year, for even during December, should the water
be low and clear, there are frequently clays of fine open
weather, when at noon time the fish will rise readily. As
the author of this little work devoted more attention to
flyfishing for trout than for grayling ; and as during the
past twenty years a number of killing patterns for grayling
flies have been invented, I have thought it best to add a
fresh chapter devoted entirely to that subject. The gray-
ling is a great deal more capricious fish than the trout, the
latter (if in the humour) rises boldly at your fly. sometimes
with a considerable splash, but if he misses it, very seldom
will he come again, unless under exceptional circumstances,
Now a grayling will at times rise over and over again at
your fly, and perhaps after missing it three or four times
will be hooked arid captured. I recollect once throwing
over one eight times in succession, it missed the fly in each
case, but I basketed him at last. You generally find that
a proficient in this branch of angling possesses three impor-
tant qualifications, viz., quick sight, a strong wrist, and
sensitive touch, the first-named requisition being especially
necessary, as the grayling is enabled, by its large dorsal
fin, to rise so rapidly, and makes so little break on the sur-
face of the water, that sometimes all that the angler sees is
the gleam of its white belly, whereupon he should at once
strike firmly but gently, otherwise possibly the fly will be

98 AUTUMNAL

rejected ; at another time a faint ripple on the surface and
a slight tug is the only indication of a rise, and I have
generally observed that the largest fish take the fly in
this manner. What a delightful sensation it is when,
upon striking gently, you experience the familiar steady
pull and determined resistance of a fine grayling. Many
writers of experience recommend fine-drawn gut for this
kind of flyfishing, but for my own part I prefer single horse
hair, being less liable to ravel with the twisting play so
characteristic of this fish. The needle brown, cinnamon
fly, red ant, orange dun, willow fly, and blue midge, are all
excellent flies for grayling during the autumn months ; and
I can also strongly recommend the patterns given in the
following list, having tested them practically for many
seasons on both the Yore and Wharfe.

No. 1. — The honey dun bumble. — Body, claret floss silk,
ribbed with bright peacock's harl, with a pure honey dun
hackle wound on hackle wise. Remarks : this and the two
following patterns are considered standard grayling flies on
the Derbyshire rivers ; they kill well when there is no par-
ticular fly on the water — in fact I rarely make up a cast in
autumn without one at the point.

No. 2. — The orange bumble. — Body, orange floss silk, rib-
bed with bronze peacock's harl, arid a pure blue dun hackle
over it.

No. 3. — The ruby bumble. — Body, ruby-coloured floss silk,
ribbed with bronze peacock's harl, and a dark dun hackle
as in preceding pattern.

No. 4. — The little chap. — Body, the reddest strand of a
peacock's feather, legged and winged hacklewise with a
lightish dun hackle and mulberry coloured silk. Remarks :
this is Mr. Ronalds' pattern, and is a first-rate killer ; it
may also be dressed as a winged fly, with a feather taken
from the darkest part of a starling's wing ; synonym, the
peacock fly,

'GRAYLING FISHING. 99

No. 5. — The fog black. — Wings, from a bullfinch's wing;
legs, starling's hackle ; body, puce-coloured silk, with a
strand of magpie's harl to form the head. Remarks : this
is a Wharfedale pattern, and should be dressed very finely,
it is a good killer when the water is low.

No. 6. — The red tag. — Body, bright green peacock's harl,
over which wind a red cock's hackle, wrapping in a scrap
of crimson floss silk at the tail. Remarks : this fly is an
excellent one to employ on days when there is no particular
fly upon the water, the fish generally taking it below the
surface of the stream ; I believe that the pattern originally
belongs to the Worcester district, a gentleman in that county
being the first to introduce it to my notice, and since then I
have had ample proof of its seductive properties on the
Yorkshire rivers.

No. 7. — The grey palmer. — Cock's hackle, with black centre
and whitish grey edge, ribbed with fine round silver tinsel,
tying silk, black. Remarks : this pattern is one of the late
David Foster's, the naturalist angler of Dovedale, and is a
good killer during the autumn months.

No. 8. — The winter dun. — Body, flat gold or silver tinsel ;
wings, fieldfare ; legs, light blue hen's hackle. Remarks :
this also is one of Mr. Foster's patterns, and must always
be fished as a point fly ; I have killed grayling with it in
December, not only -when the weather has been bright and
sunny at noontime, but with snow upon the ground ; it
answers well either in bright or coloured water.

No. 9. — The quill gnat.— Body composed of a strip of the
quill from a starling's feather neatly rolled on ; legs, dark
blue dun cock's hackle, in some cases red hackle ; wings,
bright starling's wing ; hook No. 10 or 11. Remarks : this
is one of Mr. Francis' patterns, and it answers very well
when employed on fine evenings during July and August.

No. 10. — Dark grey midge. — Body, brown or olive silk;
wings, dark grey feather of partridge ; legs, grey partridge

100 AUTUMNAL

or grizzled hackle. Kemarks : one of Jackson's patterns
which he specially recommends for use during the late
autumn and winter months — an essential point however is
that it must be dressed small.

No. 11. — The Francis fly. — Body composed of copper-
coloured peacock's harl, ribbed distinctly with copper red
silk ; hackle, medium blue dun ; wings, two hackle-points
of a grizzly blue dun cock's hackle (not a hen's), set well up.
Remarks : this is a purely fancy fly, which was invented
by Mr. Francis Francis ; the author does not speak of it,
however, as being a good fly for grayling, but thinking it to
be a likely looking pattern, I had some dressed small on No.
1 2 hooks, and having tested it practically on both the Yore
and Wharfe, I can testify from experience to its efficacy.

No. 12. — Blue midge. — Body, lead-coloured silk; wings,
feather from a water-hen's neck ; legs, grizzled hackle.
Remarks : this is another of Jackson's patterns, and is a
first-rate fly to employ on drizzling dull days in autumn and
early spring, it must however be dressed fine and small.

These twelve patterns will, I feel certain, prove amply suf-
ficient for killing grayling during the autumn months upon
any stream where these delicate fish are to be found, but
should the angler require greater variety, I can also recom-
mend the following numbers of the author's flies, viz., Nos.
1, 6, 10, 11, 27, 28, 52, 55, 77, 80, 87, 90.

Another method of taking grayling during November
and December, and which is practised a good deal by York-
shire anglers, consists in what is termed in that district
"swimming the worm." For this class of fishing a low
clear water is most conducive to sport, and it is better if
the angler can wade ; the rod should be light, moderately
stiff, and about eleven feet in length ; the reel line must be
a fine braided waterproofed one, to the end of which attach
about two yards of fine-drawn gut, the hook a fine wire one,
with a piece of stiff bristle tied in at the top of the shank

GRAYLING FISHING. 101

to keep up the head of the worm, fasten a single swan shot
about twelve inches above the hook, and your tackle is com-
plete; the best worms to employ are the small red ones
always to be found in old rotten manure, and they should
be kept ready for use in damp, clean moss ; insert the point
of the hook a little below the head of the worm, and thread
it on, up to the projecting bristle, which will keep it in its
place ; leave the tail of the worm hanging loose ; the bait
must be swum about six inches from the bottom of the river
by means of a very light cork or quill float, the angler wad-
ing carefully up stream, and trying every eddy or likely
haunt for grayling within his reach ; as soon as ever the
float gives the slightest indication of a bite the angler must
strike at once, gently but firmly, playing the fish out in the
water which he has previously fished through. The arti-
ficial bait known as the " grasshopper," and which is such
a deadly lure on the tributaries of the Severn, does not
seem to " take " on the Yorkshire streams. I have tried
it on several occasions, but with no results. I must not
forget to advise my readers to give a gentle strike at the
end of each swim when fishing the worm for grayling, as
very frequently the fish will take it very quietly just as the
bait rises from the bottom, and then the above-named pre-
caution generally results in the capture of the fish.

To myself, and no doubt to many other brothers of the
angle, autumnal grayling fishing has a peculiar charm ; the
calm declining days of September and October, when the
sun sheds his warm rays over the golden stubble fields and
the gorgeous ruddy tints of the fast changing foliage ; the
soft murmur of the stream, with ever and anon the silvery
gleam of the shadowy grayling as he rises at a passing fly ;
the slender rod, the gossamer tackle, with the smallest of
artificials attached, all tend to make up a most enchanting
picture of the gentle art, especially to the eye of a born
angler; just in the same manner as the sportsman of another

102 AUTUMNAL GRAYLING FISHING.

class welcomes the 12th of August or the 1st of September,
so does the enthusiast in grayling fishing hail with delight
the approach of the autumn months, and if he be fortunate
enough to reside in a district where this handsome and sport-
ing fish abounds, weather and state of the river permitting,
he is able to carry on his favourite sport up to the close of
the year, instead of laying aside his fly rod in September,
which he would be obliged to do if trout only were to be
met with.

ON CREEPERS.

ALL the flies of the browns, drakes, and dun classes, are
bred in the water, from eggs or spawn laid on its surface
by the females. These eggs or spawn become animated and
hatch the young insects, which grow in the water the same
as fish, in the same shape and to the full size of the bodies
of their parent flies, when they are called creepers. These
creepers are cased and sheathed in a thin waterproof skin,
which protects and fits them for the occupation of the water
until they are matured for a change ; the skin is then split
open at the shoulders, and the fly is hatched, leaving the
empty creeper skin behind, as a bird does its shell.

A description of the creepers of two or three species of
the flies of each of these classes, may suffice to give a know-
ledge of the whole, sufficient for the purposes of the flyfisher.

CREEPERS OF THE BROWNS CLASS.

The females of this class may be frequently seen on the
tops of posts and rails, battlements of bridges, etc., exuding
their eggs as they stand, which adhere to their bodies on
the first and second joint of the belly, and which they flap
off on to the water with their wings. The eggs of different
species vary in color. The creepers resemble, in shape and
construction, and also in sizes and colors, the bodies, legs,
etc., of their parent flies. Their creeper skins are thicker
than those of the drakes and duns, and most of them beauti-
fully marked and lined with dark brown on the top of the
head, shoulders, and down the back. They are very active,
and run as quick in the water as the flies do upon land, until

104 ON CREEPERS.

the time when they produce their flies ; they then repair to
the shallows and edges of the streams, to fix to some sub-
stance preparatory to their hatching. Some leave the water
and run up the stems of plants that grow by its side, and
fix to the under-sides of leaves, but according to observation,
by far the greatest number fasten themselves by the belly
and under-parts with some sticky matter peculiar to them,
to the under-sides of stones that lay just without the edges
of the water, which enables the flies to split open their
creeper skins at the shoulders, and unsheath their legs,
whisks, arid feelers. Numbers of the empty creeper skins
may be seen on the under-sides of stones taken up by the
hand, just without the edges of the water, and often the
new-hatched flies beside them.

IST. — STONE FLY CREEPER. — Lengthabout seven-eighths,
head, shoulders, body, legs, whisks, and feelers, resembling
those of the flies, but more bulky, and the legs are fringed;
ground color of the upper parts, brown, of lighter or darker
shade, distinctly lined and marked with dark brown ; belly
and under-parts shades of yellow. At the time of hatching
they repair to the edges of the water and fasten themselves
to the under-sides of stones, where they hatch their flies,
and are found by the natural flyfisher ; but soon after they
find other places of repose. They are the largest creepers,
and produce the largest and master fly of the angler's list.
In April they are in perfection, and are found under loose
stones that lie hollow in shallow streamy places, and near
the edges of the water. Trout roam in search of them .

2ND. — NEEDLE BROWN CREEPER. — Shape and size nearly
similar to those of the bodies, legs, etc., of the flies. Colors
brown, of lighter or darker shade. Is the smallest creeper,
and produces the smallest fly of the browns class. Numbers
of them may be seen on the under sides of stones, taken up

ON CREEPERS. 105

from just within the water's edge, and their empty creeper
skins on those without. They are hatching, when the
weather is open, nearly the year round. Some of them
leave the water with their wings only in the bud, and may
be seen running exceedingly fast on the tops of posts or
large stones by the water sides, when the sun shines warmly
upon them — query, are they males ?

3RD. — YELLOW BROWN (Yellow Sally). — Length, about
three-eighths, more or less ; legs and whisks yellow ; head,
shoulders, and body, yellow ground, marked on the upper
parts with dark brown. Is a beautiful little creeper, and
may be found when the water is low, under stones by the
sides arid in shallow runs, at the time of hatching, when
they fix themselves to the under sides of stones just with-
out the water's edge.

All the creepers of this class are readily taken by the fish,
but they instinctively keep themselves close under the
stones.

CREEPERS OF THE DRAKE CLASS.

No eggs have been seen attached to the bodies of the females
of this class, but from their frequent dropping upon the
waters it may be supposed they then deposit the germ of
their creepers, which have an uncouth appearance when
compared with their neat trim flies. The heads of most of
them are large and round, particularly those species which
produce flies with large gogling and case eyes ; their shoul-
ders are round and made larger by the enclosed wings ; the
body and whisks are similar to those of the flies, but more
bulky, and the whisks, legs, and some of the joints of the
body set with fine hair, which flows and moves in the water,
and may answer the purpose of fins. The smaller species
require looking at closely to distinguish them. They are
of a jelly-like transparency ; the colors and marks of the

106 ON CREEPERS.

fly appearing through their thin creeper skins ; they are
much quicker in the water than the flies are upon land, up
to the last moment before hatching. Some species may fix
themselves to something, but it is certain that the greater
part, if not the whole class, hatch themselves on the top of
the water, and spring on the wing from the empty creeper
case as it floats on the current.

4TH. — GREEN DRAKE CREEPER. — Length, about three-
quarters ; two short feelers, two or three whisks, which,
with the legs, sides, etc., are fringed with hair. Ground
color a lightish green, shewing, in the dim transparency,
the dark marks of the fly within. Shape similar to the
body and parts of the fly, but bulkier. A fine small line
is visible betwixt the shoulders, where the creeper skin
splits open at hatching ; the same may be seen on the
shoulders of the protective skin of the fly. They are gene-
rally in deeper water, and hatch on the surface.

5TH. — BROWN DRAKE CREEPER. — Length, half an inch ;
legs, whisks, feelers, and sides, fringed with fine hair, which
flows and moves in the water. Is a broad and thick creeper,
with largish head, altogether of a light ambry brown ground,
touched and marked on the upper parts with darker. The
checkwing creeper is nearly similar. Both shew the slant-
ing dark lines on the sides, and hatch on the top of the
water.

GTH. — CORAL-EYED DRAKE CREEPER. — Length, about
three-eighths ; whisks a quarter ; legs, whisks, feelers, and
body, fringed with fine hair, and of a dull dim amber trans-
parency ; eyes a deep red brown ; wings shew through their
thin creeper skins like an oblong black mark on each side
of the shoulders. Hatch on the top of the water. Like
the browns, the creepers of this class are readily taken by
the fish, but preserve themselves in the same way.

ON CREEPERS. 107

CREEPERS OF THE DUNS, OR CASED
CREEPERS.

NATURE has changed her operations in perfecting the dun
tribes of flies. The females carry and lay their eggs or
spawn upon the waters the same as the browns, and like
them, the dun creepers are naturally cased in a thin skin to
protect them whilst in it ; but when the eggs of the duns
are hatched, each infant creeper singularly composes an
artificial case around it, which it increases in size and sub-
stance with its growth. These artificial cases are a hollow
cylinder of tough texture and smooth insides. The creeper
in its progress covers the outsides with rougher materials,
such as small pieces and knobs of sticks, stems, straws,
particles of sand, soil, etc., etc., which are fixed to the out-
side by an adhesive matter, peculiar to the creeper. When
a full grown creeper is taken out of its case, its appearance
is that of a dull sluggish grub, with but little animation or
resemblance to the bodies of their flies. Their legs are
short, their motions slow, and they would soon be devoured
by the fish had. not nature endowed them with the instinc-
tive power to compose an artificial covering around them
for shelter and protection. When in motion the head
and shoulders come out of the case, which sets their short
legs at liberty, and the case and creeper move together.
When the creepers are full grown they prepare for a change,
and ramble in search of a biding place to fix to, as we some-
times see the stickbait crawling at the bottom of the water,
often against the stream ; for it seems to be instinctive in
the aquatic flies to move upwards same as the fish. They
in general fix themselves to the under-parts of stones that
lie hollow in the water, and protects them from the violence
of the stream, where they remain in a fixed and dormant
state for two or three months, or until Nature has finished
her work and the fly is matured. The creeper then leaves
I

108 ON CREEPERS.

its fixed dwelling, and rises to the surface of the water,
where the creeper skin is split open at the shoulders, like
the browns and drakes, and the fly takes wing, or paddles
to land. Many take their first rest under loose stones by
the water's edge, where they may be found ; but after tak-
ing wing find other places of repose. In this way all the
dun tribes of flies, from the least freckled to the red, pro-
gress to perfection, from the egg to the fly in the water.
The soft empty creeper skins (scarce the thickness of a
minnow's bladder) float away on the top. The empty
artificial cases remain in their original places until washed
away.

TTH. — RED DUN CREEPER. — Length, five-eighths to three
quarters. Head, shoulders, and legs, black or dark brown ;
body, a dark dirty shade of yellow or amber. Length of
case better than an inch, covered over with small short
pieces and chubby knobs of bits of sticks, of a black appear-
ance, which probably imparts a dark shade to the fly. Is
the largest creeper and fly of the dun clasp. They are found
under stones in shallow streamy runs, but are not so
numerous or good to find as the cod and stickbait. The
drawing represents the case and fly of 30th August.

STH. — LIGHT DUN CREEPER (codbait). — Length, half an
inch ; head, legs, and shoulders, black ; body yellow. Is
the lightest colored creeper, and produces the lightest dun
flies ; their stony covering imparts no dye. Length of case
three quarters to an inch, cylindrical, and rather bowed ;
is studded rough on the outside with particles of sand,
which presents a piece of tesselated work which would puzzle
a Roman. They lie under stones in shallow currents that
run over sand and gravel, which their rough-cast coats
exactly resemble, and keeps them safe at anchor. Several
may oft be found under the same stone. They are good

ON CREEPERS. 109

for trout and old smelt in April and May, fished on the fly
hooks. They may be kept in water pots, for use, or until
they fix and hatch, by keeping the water fresh ; close thick
woollen bags (to exclude the air) are the best to take them
out in, now and then dipping them in water.

QTH. — FRECKLED DUN CREEPER (stickbait). — Length,
half an inch ; head, shoulders, and legs, black ; body a light
blue dun. The vegetable appendages impart a dye which
freckles or darkens the stickbait tribes. Length of case
about three quarters, with its appendages of stems, etc., to
an inch and a quarter. Their buoyant dwellings compel
them to choose still waters, but in their rambles for fixing
they oft may be seen propping and contending against the
stream.

10TH. — LEAST FRECKLED DUN CREEPER. — Length bet-
ter than one-eighth ; head, shoulders, and legs black ; body
leady ; case near a quarter, covered smooth with fine brown
soil, and looks like a short piece of rusted wire.

NOTE. — The remaining portions of the creepers of these
three classes have their growth in the water, and hatch
their flies in the way that has been described. The creepers
and flies furnish the greatest portion of the insect food of
the fish — the choice of trout, grayling, and smelt, and the
select of the craft the season through. They may be termed
the regular forces of the flyfisher, for nature has bound each
numerous swarm — when its time comes to appear and shew
itself on the water — to the fish, every day of their dur-
ation. The land flies and insects come on the water by
accident, and never so numerous or ever so regular. The
creepers tell the forthcoming of the flies. The streams of
Ripon abound with every variety ; in fine weather and low
waters they may all be found at their times, under loose

110 ON CREEPERS.

stones that may be taken up with the hand within the edges
of the stream — the rough cases of the duns sheltering under
or attached to the stones — the browns and drakes scamper-
ing about for cover again. They will hatch their flies in
water pots if not disturbed, and the water kept constantly
fresh. They draw to the edges of the waters, towards their
maturity, and as the season advances, and in summer, they
swarm with them, when the waters run quick with life, as
the poet sings :—

" See through this air, this ocean, and this earth,
All matter quick, and bursting into birth."

In addition to these three classes of creepers vast varieties
of the spinners, beetles, gnats, midges, etc., are perpetually
progressing and pouring their winged progeny on the
waters daily throughout the season, making ample store
and choice for the fish, and a task for the flyfisher to dis-
cover and imitate the fly they prefer.

ARTIFICIAL FLIES.

THE cottage holmster tanned and trained pockets his fish-
ing book, no other book he wants, and wends his way with
rod and pannier to his accustomed streams. His intuitive
glance quickly catches the prevailing fly, when his ready
hand as quickly creates the mimic favorite that sends him
ladened home.

The purpose of this book is to bring the natural flies
before the eyes of the flyfisher, for the art of imitation is
in much better perfection than the knowledge of the natural
flies, and it is essential that both should be known alike.
A lesson or two on the art from the profession or skilful
craft, is much shorter and surer than book instructions.
The following observations may furnish some necessary and
useful hints.

The weather affects the stomachs of fish, and greatly
varies their appetites. During pending rains and easterly
winds they are dull and abstemious, when few are taken
by the flyfisher. When the atmosphere is genial the trout,
under cover of thick waters, dark nights and cloudy breezy
days, or in the absence of top food, is often as voracious
as the pike — he scours the streams and margins of rivers
in search of substantial bottom food, when he will chase
minnows until they fly out of the water, and runs at any
sizeable living thing that comes in his way. His dart and
his grab is like the cat with the mouse, when his prey
rarely escapes, or him the baited hook ; although daring,

112 ARTIFICIAL FLIES.

he is very cunning and acute in seeing and avoiding dan-
ger. In colored or clearing waters he will oft run great
risks, when it is evident he is aware of danger. He will
cut away the tail-end of your minnow or strip it off the
tackle, and adroitly avoid the hooks ; or if struck, his des-
perate blast to dislodge them oft sends the minnow several
inches up the gut, and his game and struggles are those of
the salmon tribes. He will feint and gambol with your fly
or bait, and dash it with his tail ; but the artful dodger has
been stayed by the tenacious hook in his slippery side.
After rapacious nights he grounds himself alone in his
haunts by the side of a stone until roused on his fins again
by the flutter of the new-hatched flies above his head. He
then takes no notice of the minnows, or the minnows of
him, save giving him way as he moves, like other inferiors.
When the fly he selects comes in good plenty he refuses all
others, until he is satisfied or the supplies cease. Such is
the trout— the most beautiful, cunning, and courageous of
all the finny tenantry of the streams — the leading customer
of the small fly fisher, with whom he has to deal in open
day, and mostly in clear water ; and for whom he must
assimulate his wares to such as are issuing on the market
from nature's storehouses, and are in immediate request.

Grayling rise boldly and freely at the top food of the
season, and often give capital sport to the flyfisher. They
have their choice and favorite flies, but are not so tenacious
or scrupulous as the trout ; they are a more simple and
more social fish, gliding together in the eddies and stills of
moderate depth, that lie betwixt or close to the streams.
They spawn the beginning of April, and are in best con-
dition in autumn.

Smelt are expert flycatchers — the readiest customers of
the small flyfisher ; from August to the end of the season
the streams up the Ure are full of them. They occupy the
same haunts and places the old ones had done before them.
On fine days and low waters imitations of the small lively

ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 113

colored aquatics of the day, and small hackles, with a mag-
got at each, cast into the short runs and ripples of stony
streams, are irresistible. Towards the end of autumn they
verge into the deeps, where they remain until spring sum-
mons them away, when they offer good sport all along
their line of march to salt water. A shoal will straighten
the flyfisher's line at every cast, when the kicks and flings
of these tiny sportlings may suggest the furious tugs and
struggles in store for the angler, when he holds at bay the
full-grown king of the fishes.

The sizes and situations of the component parts of an
artificial fly must be the same as those of the natural ones,
or as near as materials will allow. If a drake fly be hatch-
ing, and the fish watching and feeding upon it, in order to
deceive them the wings, legs, head, shoulders, and body of
the artificial drake must be the same in sizes, situation, and
outline, to those of the natural fly. The length of the fly
gives the length of the shank of the hook required. Arti-
ficial flies are winged with slips or cuts from the inner web
of the large feathers. They are hackled by winding the
stem of the feather tightly over the shoulders, keeping the
fibres free. The flies in the list are divided into seven
classes, being of seven different shapes. The same shape
of the natural flies in each class must be given to their arti-
ficial imitations.

The Browns require the cylinder-like form of head, shoul-
ders, and body, in their proportions, for they are the bulk
and substance of all flies, from which the wings and legs
are but shades and offshoots. Body, half length, of eight
or nine rounds of suitable sized silk, which is the number
of joints. Winged on the middle shoulder, and legged at
the breast. Hackled on the second and third shoulder, the
fibres of the feather to lie down flat at the stem, by the
action of the water, and close over the back and sides in
the wire-like form of the closed wings of the flies,

114 ARTIFICIAL FLIES.

The Drakes. — Head acccording with that of the fly ; shoul-
ders short, and thickish ; body, above half length, rather
smaller to the end ; wings on the mid shoulder, to stand
up like those of a butterfly, slantwise over the body ;
leg at the breast ; hackle over the mid and third shoulder,
the fibres of the feather to start upwards from the stem,
and have a natural tension in the direction of the wings of
the flies. If the color of the feather suit for both wings
and legs, pinch the upper fibres together for wings, and trim^
and shorten the under ones for legs, which is the shortest
way of dressing a fly, and often done by the craft. The
glittering wings of all the drake tribes, after casting their
skins, are best represented by the glittering cock hackle
feathers.

The Duns. — Small heads, and small jumped-up shoulders ;
body rather fuller, and better than half length ; wing near
the head, and leg at the breast. Hackle on the shoulders
near the head ; the fibres to close flat at the stem by the
action of the water ; for if they appear thick at the shoul-
ders when the fibres of the feather are closed, the shape of
both these flies and the browns is lost.

The Spinners. — Small heads, large round shoulders, bodies
cylindrical, near two-thirds the length. Wing or hackle
on the shoulder, .leg at the breast.

The House Flies. — Head, shoulders, and body in their
proportions thickish ; body somewhat oval, and about half
the length. Wing on each side of top of shoulder, to lie
horizontal and point more or less from the body ; leg at the
breast ; hackle over the fore-part of shoulder. The pro-
portions of this class rather vary.

The Beetles. — Head small ; shoulders and body growing
broader, into an oval form ; body about three-fifths of the
length ; wing where the shoulders and body join, to close
over the back ; leg at the breast ; hackle for under-wings
close behind the top ones.

ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 115

The Ant Flies. — Largish head, thick shoulders, small
waist, plump oval body, thickness of the shoulders, and
near or about half the length of the fly. Wing on each side
of top of shoulder, to slant upwards and from the body ;
leg at the breast. May be hackled over top of shoulder,
and trimmed for legs.

The colors, shades, and reflections of the natural flies
must be imitated, as well as their sizes and shapes. Defects
in any of these lead to disappointment. Books are imper-
fect guides to colors and shades. To pursue the art to its
best perfection, it is necessary to take the first steps. The
materials for an artificial fly should be compared and
matched with the natural one, by the eye and judgment of
the flyfisher. The top and under side of feathers, for wings,
must resemble, and the transparent tinge, with any marks
or freckles, must match that of the natural fly. Take the
dead fly on a needle point, and compare it with the arti-
ficial materials. Match the wings with the feather ; the
body with silk ; legs with hair, etc. Hold them together,
side by side, up to the light and in the sunshine, and look
through them as we may suppose the fish do, turning them
into different positions in order to catch their foundation
colors, with their tinges, reflections, and hues. This gives
the flyfisher a grounded knowledge of the natural flies ; and
the materials once selected and proved, become familiar in
his mind and items in his book, with which he can after-
wards picture life with but little trouble, and fish his flies
with the greatest confidence.

Feathers for wings must be small fibred, close and thin,
of silky surface and transparent texture, that will least
shrink or change color on the water. Fine old glossy birds,
about Christmas, produce the best. The length of the
wings of the fly gives the length of the fibres of the feather.
The olden craft selected the barred feathers from the inside
and outside of woodcock wings, for the barred wings of the

116 ARTIFICIAL FLIES.

early and light brown, the clouded feathers from under
the wing of the hen pheasant, for the clouded wings of the
March brown ; the partridge grey from the breast ; brown
from the shoulders ; and spotted red from the tail for the
veined and checkered wings of the Eoyal Charlie, check-
wing, mottled brown and red-brown drakes. For the light
and blue drakes (and the bloa shades of the plain wings of
some others) they took from the starling, snipe, etc. ; and
for the dark drake ( watch et) from the waterhen. For the
dark shades of wings of some others from the swift, black-
bird, etc. For the wings of the freckled duns they took
the freckled feather of the moorcock, where they found for
others of the dark stickbait tribes, and for the tawny and
light wings of the codbait tribe, the light, grannam, sanded,
plover dun, etc., they took from the brown owl, landrail,
dotterel, plover, etc. These feathers have been chosen by
the anglers of yore to imitate the wings of these aquatic
chiefs of the small-fly list, which are the principal flies they
imitated. These feathers still hold good, their popularity
seems to have outlived the flies. They are all fished by
the craft, not at haphazard through the day, but on the
days and at the hours when they, or such of them as shew
themselves on the waters to the fish. If better matches are
known or can be found in other birds, adopt them, for the
flyfisher must look round for himself and scrutinise every
fly, or he may often be deceived. All is, when his flies are
like those the fish are taking, he will have the best chance
of a kill. The feathers on the outsides of the dotterel
wings, with light edges, assimulate naturally with the ends
of the closed wings of several species of browns and duns,
as they shew at the end of the body. The wings of many
of the flies are thick and veiny at the shoulders, and the trans-
parent shade lighter at the ends ; and the breast and shoul-
der in general shew a shade or two darker than the body.
Suitable grounds with marks, mottles, etc., are oft to be

ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 117

met with in the common hen, ducks, etc. Small flies,
gnats, etc., require the finest fibred feathers ; the small
birds present a field not much explored. The feathers are
picked from the neck, shoulders, back, rump, breast, and
sides, and the outside and inside of wings ; the fibres of the
latter are straight, and some rather stiffer suitable for
drakes. Silks, hairs, wools, furs, etc., must be of an elastic
and transparent quality ; for all the flies, as well as the
more substantial food of the fish — such as minnows, bull-
heads, loaches, worms, larvse, etc. — are of a dim transpar-
ency ; and all the flies throw off, more or less, tinty spark-
ling reflections, and shew rich transparencies, which, when
aptly imitated answer better ; dull opaque imitations are not
natural to them. The noble Salmon takes not the glitter-
ing bait as children choose toys, but from the rich trans-
parencies and sparkling reflections with which nature has
tinged their insect food. Hairs, such as mohair, or from
the hare's ear, shank, or other parts ; or from the squirrel,
or other animals of suitable fineness and shade, represent
the natural gleam of the legs of flies much better than the
formal and glittering cock hackle. The few fibres of the
hare's ear, on the breast of the brown drake and checkwing,
mingle naturally with the other parts, and make up the fly.
Many flies are tinged of other colors and shades, with furs
from the water-rat, mole, squirrel, etc. The blue drake is
internally orange, but her thin inky skin tinges her blue,
which is imitated with a few fibres of fox-cub down wrought
in with the orange silk, but it should be used sparingly (in
all cases), not to hold water or increase bulk, its purpose
being to throw off the blue tinge of the natural fly. Many
tinge with small strands of silk. Fibres from the peacock,
and other feathers are occasionally used, as for the head of
the coral-eyed drake, etc. ; but their sizes must not exceed the
bounds of nature, the object being to give to the arti-
ficial the same size and shape, and to throw off the colors

118 ARTIFICIAL FLIES.

and tinges of the flimsy fabrics of the natural flies.

The air changes the hues of some of the new-hatched
aquatics. The favorite spring fly of a successful craftsman
was a small one dressed with orange silk and cock-pheasant's
small purple hackle only. He knew nothing of the natural
fly, which probably was the needle brown, then hatching in
great numbers, but usually dressed with water-rail, swift,
etc. It is very likely the purple hackle, when in or on the
water, throws off the steely blue tinge of the wings of the
newly-hatched needle brown. It is not every fly, from the
most skilful hands, that pleases the bright eyes of the fish.
If a craftsman makes three or four all of the same sort
and materials, some will be preferred to others. Passing
from Mickley to Black Robin with a brother or two of the
angle, we bespoke a craftsman silently plying his art. He
had only just begun. Said he had rose some good grayling,
but they " wadn't tak hod," I saw him make three or four
casts with his flies, which he watched as if they were alive,
but with the same results. The fish rose, but turned tail
without touching them. He turned aside to avail himself
of the chance a change might give, saying he would dress
them another or two of the same sort, " they'll mebbe like
'em better." Many a time that day I saw him with bent
and quivering rod hurrying down the rough margin of the
streams of Hackfall. Towards evening we repaired to
Richard Heath's. Soon after Walbran came in, his ample
basket was full of fine trout, grayling, and smelt, but princi-
pally large grayling, which were all soon caught a second
time with the silver hook. The best like imitations can
scarcely be pronounced good until tested by the fish.
Hackled flies are generally better taken than those that
are winged ; but dress both, and give the fish which they
prefer.

I have seen a craftsman sit on a stone, make short work
and sound work of the checkwing. He took the partridge

ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 119

brown and stripped the stem on both sides, to the few fibres
he intended to remain, which he closed together with his
lips, and then laid it aside. He waxed the ends of the silk,
hair, and shank of the hook, whipping three or four open
rounds of the waxed silk tightly up the bare hook to the top
and turned near half way back. He then laid the waxed
end of the hair within the hook and whipped them close
and tightly together to the top, and formed the head. Wax-
ing the silk at the lap, he plied to it a few hairs from a
hare's ear, then laid the thicker part of the stern of the
feather at the fibres, close to the silk at the lap, and whipped
over it ; then cutting off the surplus stem, whipped tightly
down the length of the shoulders and fastened. He next
took the feather in his pliers by the small end and wound
it twice over the shoulders, tight as it would bear, keeping
the stem straight by the twirl of the pliers ; and the fibres
pointing over the head, whipped it to, at the low shoulder ;
and, after cutting off the surplus, whipped tightly down to
the bend and carefully back again, to form the body ; then
fastened, and cut the silk close off. He finished with a pin,
separating and straightening the fibres of the feather, pinch-
ing the upper ones together for the wings, and trimming
and adjusting the under parts, for the legs ; then cast his
fiy on the water.

Absent or ill-made and ill-matched flies are bad to depend
on ; also flies of our own design or fancy ; for we cannot
design or finish equal to Nature. The best we can do is to
copy her designs and finish after her in the best way we
can. The first business of the small flyfisher is with the
aquatic flies of the day, which, if he cannot see out or on
the water, he may oft on spider's webs, or he may find them
with their creepers at their times of hatching, at the edges
of the streams, the same as the creeper and stone fly. An
hour or two spent in research and observation at intervals
through a season, will give a truer and more correct know-

120 ARTIFICIAL FLIES.

ledge of the flies, and nature and system of the art, than
many years of angling, and is often the shortest way to the
favorite. The wheelings of the black and blue gnats, in
sunny calms and clear waters — the trotting of the stone fly,
and the majestic floating of the green drake — overmatch
the craftsman's art. Nature reigns there supreme, when
her own works only can avail the flyfisher. The first cast
of his artificials comes the nearest ; they float for an instant
and oft flatter him with a rise, or by chance a fish, but in
a cast or two more they are disfigured, dishevelled, and
drowned, and so must continue during his sport. Many of
the small flies perish at hatching and laying times, and are
immersed in the water, when we may suppose they are
taken by the fish. We may also suppose that good imita-
tions, being somewhat elastic and of better stamina, will
maintain their appearance better in the water than the
drowned shrouded-up natural flies, and will better preserve
their shape and expression, the gleam and tinge of linger-
ing life, which is the test of the fly, and the attraction of
the fish. Be these as they may, certain it is that the fish
will readily take good imitations of the small fly they are
feeding off, by the panniers of fine trout, grayling, and
smelt, so frequently killed by the first class of small fly-
fishers.

These hints and observations are the leading landmarks
and guides in the flymaker's track, paced by persevering
craft to the last sentence ; and if, flyfishers, these hours of
idleness, casually spent in fifty seasons, give zest to the
sport of your days and lend you a lift on your way, I'll not
begrudge the years — if not, pace on, for I have done.

NOTE. — On our northern streams, such as the Yore and
Wharf e, artificial flies are usually dressed hackle wise, and
as a general rule they will be found to kill as well, if
not better, than the winged patterns ; the reason for this

ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 121

may I think be found in the fact that in the rough, broken
water which constitutes the greater portion of these rivers,
the life-like and attractive movement of the hackle fibres
proves more seductive to the fish than a sunken winged fly
would do. On the more sluggish southern streams, a sys-
tem which is styled " dry flyfishing " is greatly practised,
and on several occasions on the Yorkshire rivers I have
taken a good dish of trout by resorting to this plan, when
I should otherwise have met with very poor success ; the
flies most suitable for this style of fishing are the up-winged
duns, such as the " Little Iron Blue," " Olive Bloa," " Pale
Blue Dun," " Quill Gnat," etc., etc. ; the cast must be com-
posed of the very finest drawn gut or single horse hair, and
one fly only attached to the end of it ; wading carefully
up stream, the angler watches for the indications of a rising
fish on the smooth gliding water at the head of a stream,
and carefully measuring the distance with his eye, delivers
his single fly lightly about a couple of feet above his inten-
ded victim, very seldom has the cast to be repeated, if
your pattern is a correct imitation of the fly upon the water,
whereas it is almost any odds against a sunken hackled
fly being taken under similar circumstances. The late
David Foster, of Ashbourne, was, I believe, the first to
originate the plan of dressing flies similar to the above
named with wings, which would, retain an almost upright
position when wet or subjected to heavy usage, and his
method, as explained in his eminently practical work, The
Scientific Angler, is as follows, he says : — " Let us suppose
for the time being that the intending operator has already
fashioned the body of the fly, and has in readiness the
material for its remaining component parts, viz., the legs
and wings ; now instead of next placing the legs and lastly
the wings, he must reverse the operation by attaching the
wings first, the addition of the legs completing the process.
. . . . The feather should also be ample in dimensions,

122 ARTIFICIAL

a half inch breadth of fibre from a small bird's quill feather,
doubled so as to form the separate wings when attached, is
about the amount that is requisite for the ' March Brown/
two-thirds of this quantity for the ' Olive Dun ' order, and
one half for the ' Iron Blue Duns.' After securing the
wings, which should be about the length of the hook, thus
a little longer than the body, they are placed in their cor-
rect position. The hackle, with which it is intended to
form the legs, is then turned or wrapped into position
underneath the wings, the whole being well supported by a
few well-planted turns of the tying silk, which done, all
that remains is for the silk to be knotted or looped off in
the usual way, and your up-winged fly is complete." It is
a very frequent occurrence for disputes to arise among
anglers as to the relative value cf winged or hackled flies ;
in my own opinion, both patterns answer well in their
proper place, for in angling, as in everything else, " circum-
stances alter cases," and I always consider that an angler
is only worthy of the name when he can adapt himself to
such circumstances, contending with all the vicissitudes of
water and weather by adopting some suitable method of
his craft, and so prove himself master of the situation.
— F. M. W.

THE YORE BELOW MIDDLEHAM CASTLE.

REMARKS ON THE YORKSHIRE RIVERS.

IN the previous editions of this work, little or no mention
was made of the angling stations on the various Yorkshire
streams, therefore I have thought it best to add the present
chapter in order to render the work more valuable. The
river Ure, or Yore as it is generally spelt, takes its rise on
the confines of Yorkshire and Westmoreland, the district
between its source and the village of Hawes being extremely
rugged and mountainous, and the breadth of the stream
insignificant ; several small becks enter it a little distance
above the place named, and these contain a good number
of small trout. From Hawes to Bainbridge, the whole of
the river is preserved by the Hawes Angling Association ;
the water contains both trout and grayling, the latter pre-
dominating ; the season tickets for residents are five shil-
lings each per annum, cheaper ones, price two shillings,
J

124 REMARKS ON THE

being granted to the working class, tickets for non-residents
ten shillings per annum or one shilling per day ; inns, the
" Crown " and " White Hart." At Bainbridge the addition
of Lake Semmer water increases the size of the main stream,
but between here and Askrigg the fishing is utterly ruined
by the incursions of the cowl netters, who kill large quanti-
ties of both trout and grayling at flood times, this nefarious
practice is also carried on above Hawes, otherwise the Yore
would be one of the finest trout streams in the north of
England ; possibly the new tax imposed by the Yorkshire
Fishery Board upon all nets may bear good results — 1
sincerely trust that it may. Next comes the picturesque
village of Aysgarth : here exists that splendid cascade of
water rendered famous by the picture of it painted by the
great Turner ; it forms an inaccessible barrier to the ascent
of salmon, hence no smelt annoy the flyfisher in the waters
above ; I would also recommend the tourist angler when
at Hawes to pay a visit to a very fine natural waterfall
situated about a mile from the village, and which is called
Hardraw Scar ; Turner also executed a painting of this
charming bit of scenery ; the fall is some seventy feet in
height, and after heavy rains the volume of water thunder-
ing over the narrow ledge of rock into the stony basin
below, is a sight to be remembered. Reverting to the
Yore, Bolton Hall is the next place of interest past which
it flows, and then comes the village of Wensley, from which
this picturesque valley takes its name ; the whole of the
river here is strictly preserved. Next comes Middleham,
renowned for its training stables, below which place the
Cover enters the Yore ; an angling club has been recently
formed preserving a good stretch of both these rivers, and
which grants day tickets to visitors, the secretary of this
club is Mr. J. E. Miller, of Middleham, an ardent angler,
who will answer any enquiry respecting the fishing, rules,
etc. ; the inn at Cover Bridge, kept by Mrs. Towler, is a

BOLTON CASTLE.

I

YORKSHIRE RIVERS. 125

most comfortable abode to the wandering angler, and is
well patronized during the season, but the accommodation
being limited, it is as well to apply for beds, etc., before-
hand. The hamlet of East Whitton succeeds Middleham,
and thence the Yore flows past the ruins of Jervaulx Abbey,
situated on the estate of the Marquess of Aylesbury ; here
Wensleydale terminates, and the water is more adapted to
pike and bottom fishing until the angler comes to about a
mile above (Jlifton Castle, where the streams recommence
and continue almost to the little market town of Masham ;
the " King's Head " is the principal inn at this place, the
landlord, Mr. Strickland, being able to give permission on
a good length of water. About a mile below Masham the
river Burn enters the Yore, but its waters are more suitable
for worm and minnow fishing than fly. Following the
course of the Yore, past Aldborough, we come to the mag-
nificent grounds named " Hackfall," the property of the
Marquess of Ripon ; here the river, rushing through a rocky
valley, surrounded by towering woods, presents a most
tempting picture to the angler, rippling streams holding
many a golden trout, quiet eddying flats on which the
silvery grayling ever and anon glance up at the floating
ephemerae, quaint miniature castles and grottos perched up
here and there among the sylvan groves — man's efforts to
enhance the beauties of nature — what more can the most
critical desire 1 In all my wanderings in search of my
favourite sport, seldom have I met with such a lovely pic-
ture as can be met with here ; visitors are permitted to
inspect the grounds on payment of one shilling each at the
gates, but the fishing is preserved for the friends of the
Marquess, although sometimes a ticket for a day may be
procured for a friend by a resident in the district. From
the lower boundary of Hackfall down to the village of
Mickley, deep water intervenes, and as the banks of the
river here are densely wooded, there is no chance even for

126 REMARKS ON THE

the pike or bottom fisher to try his skill. Between Mickley
and Tanfield there is fairly good sport obtainable at times,
but in this portion of the Yore trout are not so plentiful as
grayling and dace are ; the streams are for the most part
rapid and rocky, and are therefore well adapted to the
trout, but I attribute their scarcity to the lack of suitable
breeding becks, etc. Tanfield is a most picturesque little
village, and moreover possesses historical interest, once
being the home of the Marmion family, a portion of the
ruins of the ancient stronghold is still to be seen, situated
close to the tower end of the quaint old church ; this last-
named edifice was restored by Sir John Gilbert, and is well
worth a visit. Mr. J. Kendall, the landlord of the " Bruce
Arms," can grant permission to fish upon a good length of
the river, and tourist anglers will find this a most comfort-
able inn to make their head quarters for the time being.
Below the Weir at Tanfield the river is preserved ; the mill
close to it was formerly the home of John Jackson, who
was then one of the most skilful flyfishers on the Yore,
unfortunately he died in the prime of his manhood, but
previous to his death he had written matter sufficient to
form an excellent work on the flies found in the district,
which book is now in its third edition, and is considered
an authority on the subject. Kipon is the next station on
the Yore which is available to the wandering angler. Mr.
Thos. Judson, secretary to the Eipon Angling Club, will
supply day tickets to strangers at Is. 6d. each, these are
available over about 6 miles of the river Yore, and as it is
an alternation of streams and deep water, both the fly and
bottom fisher can try their skill. The Unicorn Hotel is a
capital Inn to make your head quarters, the landlord, Mr.
R. E. Collinson, always being ready to oblige his customers
in any way. The Bipon Angling Club also preserve the
Laver and Skell, small streams in the district, but these are
only fished by members of the club, some of whom take out

YORKSHIRE RIVERS. 12

transferable tickets for friends visiting them. In these
waters the trout are numerous, but are only of small size.
The Laver joins the Skell, which is a tributary of the Yore,
entering that river a short distance below Ripon ; at this
point flyfishing terminates, but in the deeps at Borough-
bridge good sport may be enjoyed by the bottom fisher, and
large pike are sometimes taken by spinning with either
natural or artificial bait.

The river Wharfe has its origin in the moorland district
situated in the north-west of Yorkshire, it is formed by the
junction of two small streams, one of which rises above
Kettlewell and the other near Arncliffe, they unite close to
the village of Kilnsey. These two streams would both of
them yield excellent trout fishing, were it not for the inces-
sant poaching which is carried on in them ; at Kilnsey,
however, an excellent angling club has been established by
a number of gentlemen, through whose energy and perse-
verance poaching has been effectually put a stop to on their
portion of the river, and has caused it to be considered the
best trout water in Wharfedale, or in fact in the county.
The number of members is limited, I believe, to thirty,
annual subcription £4 4s., but strangers who take up their
quarters at the " Tennant's Arms " are allowed to fish the
club waters on payment of five shillings per day. The inn
is a well appointed one ; and, providing that the angler
meets with decent weather, and the water is in good order,
I do not think he will complain about lack of sport, if he
can handle a fly rod at all. There are no grayling in the
Kilnsey water • I believe that an attempt was made some
years ago to introduce them, but was unsuccessful, whether
from the nature of the stream, or some other cause, I can-
not say ; however, I do not consider that the members of
the club need regret the failure of their experiment, as I
feel confident, from long and careful observations that I
have had the opportunity of making on the river Yore, that

128 REMARKS ON THE

where grayling predominate, the trout as surely decrease.
The river next flows past the villages of Grassirigton and
Burnsall ; at the latter place another angling association
has been formed, which preserves a fine stretch of water.
Here grayling abound, and attain a good size, so that the
flyfisher has variety in his sport, though his pannier at the
close of the day may not contain so many trout as it perhaps
might do on the Kilnsey length. The day tickets on the
Burnsall water are issued by the landlord of the "Red
Lion " Inn, at a charge of 5s. per day ; the secretary of
the club, Mr. C. J. Critchley, of Ilkley, will readily supply
any further information respecting the rules, etc. We
next approach what is justly considered the most beautiful
portion of Wharf edale, viz., Bard en Tower, Bolton Woods,
and the far-famed ruins of Bolton Abbey. One of the many
delights that are known to the flyfisher is the beautiful
English scenery that his favourite sport leads him to, and
here indeed he will find it in all its varying forms, for I can
say, without any fear of contradiction, that there are few
beauty spots in England that can rival Bolton Woods
viewed in early spring, when the tender green buds are
bursting into life, and its many dells and coppices are
resonant with the twittering of feathered songsters, when
the mossy banks are stellated with clusters of primroses,
wood anemones, and violets, and when the river, swollen
by recent rains, thunders over the moss-clad rocks, the
whole force of its current rushing through a narrow passage
about four feet in width, where in days gone by, tradition
states that young Eomilly, the " Boy of Egremond," met
with an untimely death whilst attempting to leap the
chasm with a leash of hounds.

" He sprang in glee, for what cared he
That the river was strong, and the rocks were steep ?
But the greyhounds in the leash hung back,
And checked him in his leap.

YORKSHIRE RIVERS. 129

The boy is in the arms of Wharfe,
And strangled by a merciless force ;
For never more was young Komilly seen
Till he rose a lifeless corse."

This dangerous point in the river is named the " Strid,"
which, I suppose, is a corruption of the word stride ; and
even now may be found persons who are foolhardy enough
to attempt the feat, though they must be aware that a single
false step means sudden death. Very beautiful, again, it
appears in the full glory of midsummer, when the banks of
the stream are clothed in thick foliage, and the stately fox-
glove rears its head among the tangled masses of bracken
and ferns. Then the cool shade of its many glades forms
a pleasant resting place for the tired angler, who perchance
has been wading up stream all day in the heat of the sun,
fishing with the little red worm on drawn gut in the dim-
inished streams. Permission to fish in this portion of the
river, viz., from Bolton Bridge to Barden Tower, may be
obtained by staying at the " Devonshire Arms." The trout
are pretty numerous, but owing to the fact that the river
about here is very hard fished, they are very shy, and
require the most delicate of casts, and a light hand in
throwing it. From Bolton Bridge, down past Addingham
to Ilkley, known as being a fashionable resort for Hydro-
paths, the river is preserved by the various landed proprie-
tors, from whom permission is somewhat difficult to obtain.
Below Ilkley Bridge are a succession of fine streams, to fish
which tickets may be obtained from Mr. Kendall, landlord
of the " Eose and Crown " Hotel, at a charge of 2s. 6d. per
day ; here also, as on the Bolton water, the fish are very
wary, but at times some capital dishes are brought to bank,
chiefly, however, by local experts, many of whom reside in
the district. A stretch of preserved water again intervenes
between the end of the Ilkley length and the market town
of Otley ; here a first-rate angling club exists, secretary and
treasurer, Mr. R. M. Pratt, who is most indefatigable in his

130 REMARKS ON THE

exertions to maintain the welfare of the club, and is indeed
well worthy of the respect and esteem in which he is held
by his brother anglers. This club is also limited to thirty
members, but no day tickets can be obtained ; the rules,
too, are strict, no wading being allowed before June, and
several other restrictions ; however, in the end, the mem-
bers reap the benefit, and I wish with all my heart that the
same rules could be enforced on several others of our York-
shire streams that I could name. At Pool, which is the next
station to Otley, Mr. Lodge, the landlord of the " White
Hart" Hotel, has the power to grant permission to any
anglers, staying at his house, to fish over a nice length of
the river, which flows through two fields belonging to him,
and which are situated behind his house, strangers however
should write beforehand, as the accommodation is limited.
The Wharfe next flows past the village of Arthington, and
at that place day tickets are issued by the landlord of the
" Wharf edale " Hotel, at a charge of one shilling each, and
the river consequently being fished incessantly by Leeds
anglers, little is to be done, even by a skilled hand, unless
it be either in a coloured water or on a very favourable day.
The cream of the fishing ends here, although there are some
fine streams near Hare wood and Collingham, but the river
is preserved by the Earl of Harewood, and other riparian
owners.

The next Yorkshire river of importance to the flyfisher
is the Derwent, especially that portion in the vicinity of
the fashionable watering place, Scarborough ; about five
miles thence, at Ayton, some excellent sport may at times
be experienced on the fine length of water preserved by
the Derwent Angling Club ; day tickets may be obtained
from Mr. Patrick, fishing tackle maker, Scarborough, at a
charge of five shillings per day ; on one portion of the river,
near to Hackness, only artificial fly is allowed, and the
angler's take is limited to ten brace of either trout or gray-

YORKSHIRE RIVERS. 131

ling. The inn at Ayton is called the "Star," landlady,
Mrs. Penrose. Scawby Beck, near Scarborough, also con-
tains some very fine trout, but it is ruined by excessive
fishing, and is also poached unmercifully; I believe, how-
ever, that a portion of it above the dam is now preserved ;
the landlord of the " Sands " Hotel (near the mouth of the
Beck), also preserves a short length for the benefit of
anglers staying at his house. Lower down the river, at
Malton and Bubwith, the water is deep and navigable, but
affords capital sport to the pike or bottom fisher ; near to
the first-named place grayling attain a larger size than upon
either the Yore or the Wharfe — I have heard of them being
taken up to 31bs. in weight, while on the latter named
streams one scaling l|lbs. is a monster. The river Rye
next claims our attention. This beautiful stream rises in
Cleveland, and after flowing through Bilsdale passes the
ruins of Rivaulx Abbey, the charming scenery by which it
is surrounded making it by far the most picturesque of all
the Yorkshire monasteries. The river at this point is
strictly preserved by Lord Feversham, and to those who
have permission, flyfishing is a matter of considerable diffi-
culty, owing to the densely wooded nature of the banks.
At Helmsley an association has been formed styled the
Ryedale Angling Club, on their water trout and grayling
are very abundant, as the river is thoroughly watched and
preserved; below this point, at Nunnington, the river
becomes deeper, and loses its interest to the flyfisher. I
may add that the grayling on the Pye sometimes attain
a large size, and I have been told of the occasional capture
of trout weighing from 4 to 51bs.

For the size and quality of its trout, however, there is no
stream in Yorkshire which can compare with the Beck at
Driffield, but the fishing is strictly preserved by a club of
thirty members, beside whom no one is allowed to fish.
One peculiarity of this stream is that upon it the " Green

132 REMARKS ON THE

Drake " is very plentiful during its season, but upon none
of the other Yorkshire rivers, where the " Stone Fly " takes
its place, and also its title the " May Fly," a fact which at
times is apt to confound the tyro.

The river Costa, near the little market town of Picker-
ing, is a winding, sluggish, chalk stream, closely resembling
those of the southern counties, the water is clear as crystal,
and the banks being for the most part open, the angler is
compelled to exercise great caution in casting his fly ; here
also the trout and grayling run heavy, and as on the Drif-
field Beck, the " Green Drake " is a sure killer during its
day. A club preserves this stream, but a member is allowed
a few spare tickets for his friends ; and I have been informed
that recently worm fishing has been permitted to weed out
some of the overgrown grayling which persistently refused
to rise at any fly excepting the " Green Drake." There is
some very fair flyfishing for trout and grayling to be had
in Pickering Beck, and on that stream the fishing is free,
but the fish do not attain to the size that they do upon the
Costa.

The Swale rises in the same mountainous district as the
Yore, but does not rank in the same class as an angling
stream ; in the upper portions, near Reeth, trout are plen-
tiful, but run small ; the " hush " from some lead mines
situated near here has however tended greatly to deteriorate
the fishing, which is not nearly so good, I understand, as it
used to be. At the picturesque old town of Richmond
fairly good fishing and comfortable quarters may be met
with ; and lower down the stream, at Brompton, Catterick,
Skipton Bridge, and Topcliffe, though there are no streams
to gladden the heart of the flyfisher, the pike, and bottom
fishing for roach, dace, chub, etc., is of the first order; in
the lower waters, occasional grayling are sometimes taken,
but above Richmond they are not to be found, most prob-
ably owing to the impure state of the water.

YORKSHIRE RIVERS. 133

Another Yorkshire river which has suffered greatly from
the pollution of mine water is the Nidd. Flowing as it
does through the delightful scenery of Nidderdale, past
Pateley Bridge, Dacre Banks, Darley, Ripley, Knares-
borough, etc., the whole route is marked by objects of
interest, and the most tempting looking water, from an
angler's point of view ; unfortunately, however, in the upper
portions, the fishing deteriorates year by year, in fact gray-
ling, which used to be plentiful, are now extinct. An
angling club at Knaresborough preserves a portion of the
stream, but their efforts, I fear, will be of little avail until
the evil referred to can be abated.

I have now briefly passed under review those of the
Yorkshire rivers which are likely to prove worthy of a visit
from the tourist angler ; true, I have passed by the Aire,
that tiny, sparkling stream which flows close to the quaint
old town of Skipton, and which in its journey past Keighley,
Bingley, Shipley, etc., gathers strength and filth until it
finally reflects the glare of the furnaces of Leeds upon its
inky surface ; I have done so because the upper waters are
strictly preserved, and consequently of no interest to my
readers ; the lower waters are obviously the same.

In conclusion, let me express the hope that some day,
even though the event may occur

" In summers which we may not see,"

the inhabitants of large manufacturing towns such as Leeds,
Halifax, Sheffield, &c., may be able once more to cast their
lines in the now unfishable rivers Caider, Don, and Aire
(in its lower portions), no doubt a great deal might be done
to purify the filth that is now the means of converting these
rivers into vast sewers, in fact I am acquainted with men,
now living, who used to fish fly in the evenings for dace on
a length of the Aire close to Leeds, where now the water
is simply liquid mud. There is no doubt also but that the

134

YORKSHIRE RIVERS.

river side would prove a greater attraction to many men
than less innocent amusements, that is if the chance was
afforded them ; and if only for the sake of bringing about
that desirable result, I earnestly hope that at no very dis-
tant date the legislature will give this important matter
their careful attention.

CASCADE IN BACKFALL.

A DAY ON THE YORE.

NOVEMBER had come round once more, bringing in its train
the annual surfeit of gingerbread for the youngsters, to say
nothing of squibs, crackers, coloured fires, and all the other
invariable concomitants of the " fifth ; " while at every cor-
ner you encountered small boys of all ages and denomin-
ations bearing in their hands wooden rails, scraps of miscel-
laneous timber or branches of trees, all of which articles
were destined to take their part in the inevitable "bonfire."

136 A DAY ON

But somehow or other, in spite of the appearance of all
these things, it was hard to believe that November had
really come ; for day by day, instead of fog and mist, the
weather was fine and open, reminding one of September
and October (or rather say what those months ought to
have b$en), until at last I could stay in town no longer ;
therefore packed up my fishing paraphernalia and made
tracks northward to have a turn at the grayling.

Now to those of my readers who are not initiated in the
mystery of angling, I suppose I had better explain before
proceeding further, what a grayling is. I will attempt
therefore to do so. It is a fish highly esteemed, both for
yielding excellent sport to the angler, and for its edible
qualities ; but, unlike the generality of the finny tribe, it
is only to be met with in some of our English streams, —
the most noted being the Rye, the Wharfe, and the Yore,
in Yorkshire ; the Derwent, the Wye, and the Dove, in
Derbyshire ; the Severn, the Teme, and the Lugg, in the
Worcester district ; and the Itchin and the Test in Hamp-
shire. On some of these rivers, especially the two last-
named, they attain to a fair size, viz., 2 and 31bs. weight,
but on the Yore and the Wharfe a pound grayling is looked
upon as being a good fish ; while one of l^lbs. is regarded
as a monster. It is supposed that the monks of old brought
them over to England from the continent, and as the streams
containing them are usually found to have the ruins of a
monastery situated upon their banks, the hypothesis seems
a probable one. In appearance they are a slender, sym-
metrical fish, covered with bright, silvery scales, having a
sheen of green and purple hues upon them when freshly
caught, and the smell of them is exactly similar to that of
a cucumber ; an eminent writer on angling matters has
described the trout as being the gentleman of the streams,
and the grayling as the lady. I consider the comparison a
very apt one. Grayling come into season with the autumn

THE YORE. 137

months, and continue so until Marsh, so that they are fit
for the table at the very time when trout are not, which is
another fact that speaks in favour of the monkish theory
before mentioned.

As this is not a paper devoted to the science of angling,
I do not purpose to enter into details as to the best methods
of capturing this beautiful fish, although I have made that
subject and their habits my study for many years ; neither
do I intend to relate the incidents of every day during my
trip, lest I should bore your readers rather than interest
them ; but I will select one particular day, November 10th,
and glancing at my angling diary endeavour to sketch out
the brief outline of my day's sport.

" Now mind, Ealph, eight o'clock in the morning, not a
moment later," I remarked to my companion as he wished
me " Good night " at the door of that most comfortable of
rustic inns, the " Bruce Arms,'' at Tanfield.

" All right," he responded, " I will be ready, never fear."
So I turned in-doors, and after a final pipe of peace in the
chimney corner, retired to rest, to sleep as only a tired
angler can, and dream of endless sport on the morrow.

" Hallo ! seven o'clock already 1 " I exclaim, as I am
awakened by a loud tap at my bedroom door ; and out of
bed I tumble to inspect the weather. Not a very cheerful
look out ; an undeniable November morning at last, with
any amount of mist and fog. Anglers, however, are accus-
tomed to live in hopes, so comforting myself with the idea
that the weather may clear up, I hurriedly dress myself,
eat an excellent breakfast, and as the village clock strikes
eight, sally forth fully equipped, and make for the house of
my friend. I find him all ready, awaiting my arrival ; we
exchange the usual morning salutations, and, after lighting
our pipes, shoulder our rods and step out briskly down the
lane leading in the direction of Hackfall, at the top end of
which we had decided to commence, he fishing for salmon
and I for grayling.

138 A DAY ON

To an admirer of nature, perhaps November is the most
uninviting of any month in the year, even on the best of
days. All the rich tints of autumnal foliage have vanished,
and the naked boughs stand out gaunt and bare against the
cold, grey sky ; all the feathered songsters have fled to their
winter retreats ; the only signs of animal life being an
occasional rabbit bolting across one's path, or the familiar
form of a nimble squirrel darting to and fro on a leafless
tree. The grayling fisher is apt to fall into an idle reverie
as he plies his art, forming in his mind a retrospect of the
days that he has spent upon the stream during the early
months of spring, when the fresh green buds are bursting
forth and all nature seems glad ; or perchance he may pic-
ture a scorching day in the midst of summer, when the
streams are almost dried up, and the smallest of flies moun-
ted upon the finest of casts fails to deceive the watchful
trout until the shades of evening begin to fall. Very dif-
ferent is the aspect of affairs today ; thoughts such as these
occupying our minds as we walk along ; but here we are at
the " Sand-bed Stream," so donning our wading stockings
we step into the water and commence our fishing.

We had been at work for about half an hour, but with
no good result; when suddenly a cry of "I have him,"
comes from my companion, and turning round I am just in
time to see the gleam of a large salmon as he dashed out
into the middle of the river. I immediately came out of
the water, placed my rod and landing net upon the bank,
and taking up the gaff, watched the struggle that had just
commenced ; at the onset the gallant fish rushed to and fro
stemming the full force of the stream as only. a salmon can,
and bending the rod almost double by his efforts to escape ;
but tiring of this course of proceeding, he next descended
to the bottom of the river and laid there as motionless as a
log of wood. Suddenly, he comes again to the surface,
lashing the water with his tail, and then merrily the reel

THE YORE. 139

sounded as he made a brilliant rush down stream, running
off the line as he went. In manoeuvres such as these a
quarter of an hour soon passed, and then for the first time
since the struggle commenced the captive fish began to show
signs of weakness, rolling over and showing his silvery sides
as my companion gradually led him to the shallow water,
where I stood ready, gaff in hand. Not wishing to spoil
the appearance of the fish, I try to insert it near to his
gills, but not being quick enough to do so, he makes another
rush out into deep water. Again he is drawn gently up,
and this time, after making another unsuccessful effort to
reach him with the gaff, I throw it on one 'side, seize the
fish by the root of his tail with both hands, and ran him
out, head foremost, on to the gravel, a splendid salmon of
161bs. weight. Great was our delight at such an auspicious
commencement ; but angling is undoubtedly one of the
most uncertain of sports ; for, although during the course
of the day, my friend succeeded in rising other three good
fish, fairly hooking one of them, the first was his only fish.
On the other hand, I fished up to 'one o'clock and only
basketed a solitary grayling ; but after an al fresco lunch, I
had a reversal of fortune, and when hungry and tired I
reached my inn at five o'clock in the evening, I had twenty
fine grayling in my pannier.

Halcyon days ! from an angler's point of view, how
pleasant it is to recall them to one's memory. Very many
such have I spent on the banks of the stream that I love
so well, and earnestly do I hope that many others are in
store for me in the future.

1 have wandered, rod in hand, along the banks of the
winding Wye, and thrown the mimic fly upon the crystal
waters of the Dove, admiring meantime the charming
scenery of that lovely valley so dear to the memory of Isaac
Walton, the father of all anglers. I have killed trout in
the rocky streams of North Wales, and gazed on the glory
K

140 A DAY ON THE YORE.

of the setting sun sinking to rest behind the mountains,
but out of all the districts that I have visited in pursuit of
my favourite sport, give me Yorkshire, my native county,
with its hospitable, warm-hearted inhabitants ; and no
pleasure is to me so enthralling as to wander along the
banks of the stream that is so full of remembrances of my
early youth, and where I have spent so many happy days
in company with those whose faces I shall never see again
in this world — the river Yore. — F. M. W.

llrnwi

RIPON CATHEDRAL FROM THE BANKS OF THE SKELL.

IN MEMORIAL.

And when the hand that casts the fly

Can cast the fly no more ;
And death shall land us fairly

Upon that unknown shore, —
May we like yonder river glide,

So calm, so peacefully,
From time, that owes us no regre*t,

Into eternity !

F. FRANCIS (in " By Lake and River.")

SOME time ago, on a fine, bright summer's afternoon, I took
my seat in a railway carriage to take a journey some forty
miles northward on a fishing expedition. The guard had
given his signal, and the train was just upon the move,
when a gentleman, similarly equipped as myself, and
evidently bound on the same errand, threw open the car-
riage door and jumped in ; he seated himself opposite to
me, and after a few casual remarks, we were soon convers-
ing together in that sociable way peculiar to anglers when
they meet.

142 IN MEMORIAM.

After a while our conversation turned upon the subject
of rods, my companion remarking that the one which he
had with him was purchased a long time ago from a young
man who was leaving England ; he also mentioned that it
had a peculiarity which he had never before witnessed in a
fly rod, viz., that the joints screwed into their respective
ferrules. I immediately asked him where the young man
had lived, and on hearing that it was at Ripon, I felt sure
that both the rod and its former owner were old acquain-
tances of mine. On the gentleman taking it from its case
and showing it to me, my surmise proved correct, — it had
formerly been the property of a cousin of mine, and who
now, poor fellow, was lying in a foreign grave.

What a flood of recollections the sight of that old fly-rod
called up to my mind ; the remembrances of scores of happy
days that I had spent with its owner in days gone by, and
which now could never be recalled. Soon after my com-
panion alighted, leaving me alone ; I therefore fell into a
kind of dreamy reverie, the subject of my thoughts being
the incident just related ; but of all the shifting scenes con-
nected with my dead cousin's life that flitted through my
mind in quick succession, I think the following three were
most indelibly impressed upon it.

A bright, sunny 'afternoon in April, the air resounding
with the shouts of a troop of happy schoolboys issuing from
the doors of a large boys' school, situate in a cathedral town
of Yorkshire. Apart from the others are two lads hurry-
ing towards a trout stream which flowed at no great dis-
tance. One of them, your humble servant, the other a
straight, active fellow, a few years my elder, my cousin,
alluded to above. He was a perfect enthusiast in the gentle
art, pursuing it in every branch, dressing all his own flies,
and getting dishes of trout and grayling when no one else
could do anything. Every half-holiday was he to be found
by the river side, and on this occasion, eager to imbue me

IN MEMORIAM. 143

with the same spirit, he had induced me to accompany him,
We were soon on the bank of the river, which was just
clearing off after a flood. How well can I remember every
incident connected with that first lesson in angling ; how
patiently my cousin showed me how to put a minnow on
the spinning flight, curving it so skilfully, that when drawn
against the stream, it looked like one straight line of silver,
and how expectantly I looked on, watching anxiously the
result. I had not long to wait. A sudden splash, the glimpse
of a bright golden side gleaming through the water, and the
bending of his rod, proclaimed the capture of a good trout.
He soon had it tired out, and then showed me how to net
it. This victim was soon followed by another, and then
comes a third. I was delighted, never before having wit-
nessed anything of the kind. From that very hour I was
a fisherman at heart, and at the present time am quite as
great an enthusiast as ever my cousin was. I only wish
that I could add " and as great an adept."

Yes, every moment of that happy half-holiday comes now
as forcibly to my mind as though it happened yesterday,
instead of well-nigh eighteen years ago.

The next scene, some three years later, a bitter cold day
in December, with a slight cover of snow upon the ground,
the sky a steely blue, the hedges and trees sparkling with
icicles. We had both left school now, and were about to
enter upon the sterner lesson of life, viz., that of earning
our own living ; but still, every day that we could get, and
the evenings as well in summer time, were devoted to our
favourite sport. Under my cousin's tuition 1 had advanced
considerably in the gentle art, and could now hold my own
with most people ; on the present occasion, however, we
were on our way to a village some seven miles distant from
Ripon to fish with worm for grayling, a kind of sport much
in vogue on the Yorkshire rivers, and known among the
angling fraternity as " swimming the worm." We reached

144 IN MEMORIAM.

our destination, and commenced fishing about ten o'clock
a.m. ; it was cold work at first, until your fingers got used
to it, but the fish were well on the feed, and that, in our
eyes, made up for everything. Every now and then my
companion's cheery te Holloa ! " in the distance would an-
nounce another addition to his basket, to which I in turn
would respond.

It is a most killing method of fishing for grayling during
the winter months, that is for anyone who understands the
habits of the fish, and who is impervious to the discomforts
of the weather.

And so the short winter day wore on, all too short to
our minds ; darkness fast approaching compels us to desist
and adjourn to the little country inn. We had tea there,
and after a short rest in the chimney corner set off back on
our seven miles walk, rendering the darkness cheerful with
joke and song. I find on reference to my angling diary that
on the day alluded to my cousin's take was twenty-seven
grayling, my own nineteen.

Again, two years later, the scene this time, not the rip-
pling trout stream in the April sunshine, or the bank of
the river in its wintry garb, but the crowded railway station
of a large manufacturing town. I can hear now the noise
and bustle, the shouts of the porters, and the shrill whistles
of the engines, and see my cousin's handsome face looking
earnestly into mine, as he pressed my hand in a last fare-
well. Poor fellow ! He thought, as many more have done,
that he could better his position in a foreign land, and was
then on his way to a seaport town to take ship to Australia.
" I hope to come back some day, old fellow," said he, " and
have many a happy day with you in the old spots. Good-
bye. Mind and write, telling me all the news. Good-bye."
The train moved away, he nodding a last farewell, and his
face passed away from my view for ever in this world.

I had several letters from him, and for a time he seemed

IN MEMORIAM. 145

to prosper ; then followed a long interval of silence, broken
one morning by a black-edged letter informing me of my
poor cousin's death. He had, it seemed, been mortally
wounded in a football match, and after lingering in great
pain for many weeks, had died, far away from all his friends
and relations.

Poor W. N. ; it is no foolish sentimentality that causes
me to pen these lines, but simply a wish to pay a slight
tribute to your dear memory ; and possibly many will read
this short retrospect who bear still the same loving remem-
brance of you that I do, and who will join with me in the
earnest wish that your spirit has fled to that unknown land,
" where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary
are at rest."— F. M. W.

WILLIAM HARBISON,

MACHINE PRINTER & STATIONER,

Begs to call attention to the following

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A List of Natural Flies that are taken by Trout, Grayling,

and Smelt, in the Streams of Ripon. With 150 Illustrations of Natural and
Artificial Flies. New Edition. Revised by FRANCIS M. WALBRAN.
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THE BONE-HOUSE. A POEM. Price 6d.

A Guide to Ripon, Studley, Fountains Abbey, Aldborough,

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RIPON.

E City of Eipon is charmingly situated near the centre of the
country of York, and about midway between Edinboro' and
London. It enjoys a sheltered situation, declining from the north-
west towards the confluence of the river Yore with the Laver and
the Skell ; over the former of which there is a handsome bridge of
seventeen arches, 256 yards in length. The Tourist or the Angler
can make this a most convenient centre from whence he may plan
easy excursions, whether pedestrial or for pursuing the "gentle craft.'7
The architectural antiquary will find himself in the midst of a district
abounding in " hoary remnants of the past " — easy of access by rail
or within driving distance. The excursionist will discover that a day
will not exhaust the diversified beauties and attractions of Eipon, as
the resume here given will testify. The Eailway accommodation is
good, and affords excursions into Wensleydale either by the Masham
or Leyburn Branch Lines. The villages along the line being capital
headquarters for the Tourist Angler. The glories of the Yale of
Mowbray are open to the tourist through the line of Eailway between
Thirsk and Malton. Eipon is also within easy reach for the inhabitants
of the populous district of the West Eiding.

Guide Books are here in every form and at all prices. The Penny
Guide is intended to be a chatty companion and remind the visitor of
many interesting matters which would otherwise escape his attention.
The larger Guide Books, written by the late J. E. WALBRAN, and
revised by eminent antiquaries, contain a vast fund of correct his-
torical information, and will amply repay leisurely study at home,
and assist in recalling a happy day spent amid the picturesque ruins
of Fountains, or amongst the interesting buildings of this ancient city.

Places of Interest in Bipon & its Neighbourhood,

THE CATHEDRAL with its Saxon and Norman Crypts, may be
viewed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, except during service — 10
to 11 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. — admission to Choir, Tower, and Crypts,
6d. The visitor should inspect the famed Saxon and Norman Crypts ;
the fine Transition-Norman work of Archbishop Roger ; the charming
specimens of Decorated and Perpendicular work in the choir and nave;
and other interesting details. It contains " an example of every style
of Architecture which has been used in England from its introduction
in Saxon times to its utter debasement in the 16th century." See
Walbran's Guide to Ripon and Fountains Abbey.

The CHAPEL OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE, near the Railway Station.
A fine Norman doorway, two altar stones, and a Roman pavement,
claim the antiquary's special attention. The new Chapel is on the
opposite side of the road, built in 1869.

The CHAPEL OF ST. ANNE, in Agnesgate, built early in the 15th
century, is now in a state of picturesque decay. The chancel arch,
stone altar, piscina, and other interesting relics remain. The Alms-
houses have been recently re-built on a site further back ; the ancient
living room, or quasi-n&ve being now entirely destroyed.

The HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, in Bondgate, owes its
origin to Thomas, second Archbishop of York (1109). A modern
Chapel and new Almshouses now occupy its site.

FOUNTAINS ABBEY, 4 miles distant, may be visited between 8 a.m.
and 4 p.m. on week-days only — admission Is. There is every accom-
modation at the Lodge for visitors, The Lodge Gates are a mile
from the abbey, which is approached through the Pleasure Grounds,
beautifully and artistically laid out. Passing into the immediate
precincts of the Abbey, we see at once before us " a captivating scene
of landscape and architectural beauty, and a highly interesting subject
of contemplation." Views of the fabric from the Surprise, and from
Robin Hood's Well and the Kitchen Bank, are very picturesque ;
the latter view giving a good idea of the extent of the establishment,

NOTES FOR THE TOURIST.

of which Mr. Walbran in his Guide Books thus speaks : — " Rising
immediately above the foundations of the infirmary and other offices
of the abbey, we see the several parts of the conventual church, chapel
of nine altars, choir, transept, tower, and nave, successively developed ;
nearer us — and parallel with the south end of the transept — the
chapter house ; next, but placed in a contrary direction towards the
river, comes the common house. After that the kitchen, with its tall
chimney, and the court-house above. Then the refectory, with its
graceful lancet lights ; then, receding to the cloister-court, the buttery
and its little garth ; and lastly, in connection with the main structure,
the vast range of the lay brothers' and guests' dormitory, stretching
nearly from our feet to the nave of the church. Turning in the con-
trary direction, we may observe, on the slope of the hill above, a part
of the wall which bounded the site of the monastery ; the intermediate
broken ground having been chiefly occupied by the common stable,
guests' stable, barns, kilns, tan-house, bark-mill, dove-cotes, forge, and
other similar offices. Of these, the Mill — to which large granaries
were formerly annexed — is alone left entire, and will be observed
immediately before us, shrouded in tall trees, and running on merrily,
as in days of yore." All the styles of Architecture, from the late
Norman Nave to the Perpendicular Tower — a very fine and almost
complete specimen — are represented. — See Walbraris Guide to Eipon
and Fountains Abbey.

The NEW CHURCH in Studley Park is a fine specimen of Early
Decorated work, and will amply repay an inspection on the visitor's
return to the Lodge. It was erected by the Marchioness of Eipon,
who laid the foundation stone in September, 1871. The chancel
enriched with marble and fresco paintings is very charming. — See
Harrison's Guide to Studley Royal and the Church of S. Mary.

MARKENFIELD HALL, a large castellated structure — 3 miles north-
west of Kipon — was built in the time of Edward III., presents a fine
specimen of those ancient houses of England, which from the increas-
ing sociability, security, and polish of the times, began to arise during
the reign of the third Edward,— See Memorial Edition of Walbraris
Guide.

RIPON AND ITS VICINITY.

BOLTON PRIORY, 24 miles from Kipon, 16 from Harrogate, and 6
from Ilkley, can be reached either by a direct drive, or by rail to
Ilkley and thence by conveyance. "Of the many attractions which
Yorkshire offers to the selection of its visitors, and to the frequent
enjoyment of its inhabitants, none should be preferred to that of a
' SUMMER'S DAY AT BOLTON PRIORY.' Its elegant ruins, and its
unusually picturesque scenery cannot fail to charm every lover of the
beautiful in Nature and Art. There nature, and art, and time have
worked congenially; and, over their united triumph, genius, and wis-
dom, and virtue, and all that can exalt and ennoble human nature, or
invest one spot of earth with a superior interest, have shed their undy-
ing infl uence and associations. The ruins of this celebrated Priory stand
upon a beautiful curvature of the Wharfe, sufficiently elevated to
protect it from inundation, and low enough for every purpose of
picturesque effect ; in which respect, the competent judgement of
Whitaker has pronounced that ' It has no equal among the northern
houses— perhaps not in the kingdom.' Its site is so shut in by rising
ground and embosomed in trees, that the visitor, who has come from
Harrogate, across the wilds of Knaresborough forest, may not be
aware that he is approaching it, until he is almost on the spot."
Speaking of the Strid, Mr. Walbran says :— " About half a mile above
Bolton the valley closes, and on either side the Wharfe is overhung
by deep and solemn woods, from which huge perpendicular masses of
gritstone jut out at intervals. For awhile, the river sweeps on in
majestic undulations, exasperated by rocks and swelled by a tributary
stream bursting from a woody glen, exhibiting its native character-
lively, irregular, and impetuous. Then for a few moments it reposes
by a delicious and verdant holm ; lingering noislessly in the shade of
luxuriant trees whose slanting boughs stoop to kiss its bosom. At
length, its subdued and solemn roar, 'like the voice of the angry spirit
of the waters ' disturbs the deep solitude of the woods, and announces
the tremendous STRID, where it suddenly greets the eye struggling
and foaming in the narrow trench of the rock, through which the
whole of the impetuous torrent is poured 'with a rapidity pro-
portioned to its confinement.' " Extracts from Walbran 's Summer's Day
at Bolton Priory.

NOTES FOR THE TOURIST.

BRIMHAM EOCKS, 9 miles from Kipon, on the left of the Pateley
Bridge Turnpike, is the frequent resort of Pic-nic Parties. It can be
reached by rail, by alighting at Dacre Banks Station. "A collection
of Rocks, various in forms as in multitude, extend over 60 acres of
Moorland, from which varied and charming views of the country may
be gained. The mighty hand of Nature has seldom left a more mag-
nificent impression, than on this stupendous scene. Afar off, the
swelling precipice seems crowned by the inextricable wreck of a long
desolated city. At a nearer view, the grim and hideous forms defy
all discrimination and definition; and, at length, when standing
among them, our uncontrollable impressions continue to be of per-
plexity and astonishment. The Rocks are spread over a space ex-
ceeding sixty acres ; and the whole group, from the vast extent and
bulk of its component parts, will afford a striking proof of the supre-
macy of Nature, in her operations, over the boldest and most gigantic
efforts of art; for Brimham, could it be transported to Salisbury
Plain, would reduce Stonehenge itself to a poor and pigmy miniature.
Elevated on the southermost range of crags, is a stupendous Rocking
Stone, conjectured to weigh above an hundred tons, and visible even
from Harrogate and the surrounding country. The rich and varied
scene which may be enjoyed from the summit of this Rocking Stone,
will amply repay the trouble, if it does not sometimes enhance the plea-
sure of its ascent. On the west, a glorious prospect may be again viewed
of the Yale of Nidd. To the south, Harrogate, Harlow-hill tower,
and other conspicuous places present themselves. In the distant and
fading landscape, on the banks of the Yore, may be seen Newby
Park and Hall, near Ripon ; while many other interesting objects,
which are pointed out by the guide, will be observed in the immediate
foreground. Turning to the north-east, St. Michael's Mount again
meets the eye, rearing its venerable and sylvancrested head from
woods that embosom the majestic pile of Fountains, and many a scene
worthy of a pilgrimage. The west side of the rocks terminates in an
abrupt cliff, of considerable height, at the foot of which is a green
plain, relieved — here and there — with large fragments of stone thrown
from the beetling summit, or riven from the wide clefts, whence now
the graceful foliage of the mountain ash, or the crisped leaves of the

RIPON ANI> ITS VICINITY.

sturdy oak, wave to the pure breeze, and shelter the wild hawk and
timid ring-ouzle from the pitiless blast, or the fury of the gathering
storm." A guide is in attendance, and there is every accommodation
for visitors. — Extracts from Walbrarts Descriptive Account of Brimham
Socks.— ML

NEWBY HALL, the seat of Lady Mary Vyner, is 4 miles from Ripon,
and contains a fine Statue Gallery. A new Church, between the Hall
and the village of Skelton, has been erected in memory of Frederick
Grantham Vyner, who was murdered by Greek Brigands. It is in
the Early Decorated style, contains some fine sculptures, and the in-
ternal decorations are exceedingly handsome. — See "Memorial Edition
of Walbran's Guide; and Harrison's Newly Hall and the Church of
Christ the Consoler."

TANFIELD, a picturesque village on the banks of the Yore, six miles
from Kipon, may be reached by railway. There is a fine old church,
containing magnificent sepulchral memorials of the Marmions of real
History. At Thornborough — a mile hence — are some remarkable
circular Earthworks. A full description is given in the large edition
of Walbraris Guide. This is considered an excellent fishing Station.
A pleasant stroll up the river bank will bring the tourist to

HACKFALL, where the river Yore ploughs its way at the bottom of
a densely wooded ravine — withal a charming retreat. The Drive to
Hackfall is most enjoyable — down shady lanes,' ever and anon yielding
extensive views of the distant hill country. This place abounds in
lovely scenery of wood and water, rivalling even Bolton Woods.
The climax, however, is reserved for " Mowbray Point," where every
object may be seen that can impart to a landscape beauty, elegance,
and sublimity, the sea alone excepted. From this point can also be
seen Hambleton Hills, the towns of Thirsk and Northallerton, York
Cathedral to the south-east, and to the north-east Roseberry Topping
presents itself. Guides are in attendance, and Pic-nic parties are
catered for at " Mowbray Point," and at the Entrance Gates.
Admission, Is.

NOTES FOR THE TOURIST.

•

ALDBOROUGH, the Iseur of the Britons and the Isurium of the
Romans, is 7 miles from Ripon. A very interesting Museum of
Roman remains, found here, is collected at the Manor House. About
half a mile hence are the DEVIL'S ARROWS, near Boroughbridge.
KIRBY HILL CHURCH, with its Roman, Saxon, and Norman Remains,
should be visited on the return to Ripon,

RIEVAUX ABBEY, DUNCOMBE PARK, and BYLAND ABBEY, may be
visited by taking the train from Ripon to Helmsley and thence by
conveyance. The drive from Thirsk, over Hambleton Hills, is very
fine, and the best route.

JERVAUX ABBEY, MIDDLEHAM CASTLE, &c., may be reached either
by a direct drive from Ripon, through Tanh'eld, or by rail, via
Melmerby Junction, N.E.R.

FLIES & TACKLE

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ON THE FINEST-DRAWN GUT.

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M. PORRITT,

STOCKTON-ON-TEES.

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Orders booked at the following low rates : —

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YEARLINGS AT PROPORTIONATE RATES.

Hatching Apparatus, and Fishing Tackle of all kinds supplied,

and all the Flies mentioned in this book tied to order at the uniform

rate of 2s. per dozen.

ADDRESS:

THOMAS FORD,

Manor Fishery, Caistor, Lincolnshire.

" Trout Fishing," Is. ; 130 different flies with ways of
manufacture and seasons of use.

TO

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MANUFACTURED BY

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The Price for the Best Trout Flies is is. 6d. per dozen,
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Fly Casts (with three Flies), on Fine Gut, is. each.
Fly Casts (with three Flies), on Drawn Gut, is. 4d. each.

Salmon Flies, Salmon and Trout Rods,
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The Finest FLY GUT, in Hanks of 1OO lengths; DRAWN GUT, in
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In Packets, 6d. and Is. each. By Post 8 and 16 stamps.

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" The Book is an excellent one, whether as a ' Guide ' or as a book of reference.
It is excellently printed, and well and liberally illustrated with a considerable
number of beautiful wood engravings, a map of the environs of Ripon, and
plates. It is one of the best Guide Books ever issued." The Reliquary.

- :o: -
A new Edition of the SHILLING GUIDE has just been published.

William Harrison, Printer fy Publisher, Ripon.

SILVER MEDAL awarded to the "Fishing Gazette/'
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Norwich Exhibition, 1881.

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