[Illustration: _The Wharfe near Burnsall._
_Photo by Mr. L. A. Edmonds_]
BROOK AND RIVER
TROUTING
A Manual of modern North Country methods
With Coloured Illustrations of Flies
and Fly-Dressing Materials
By
HARFIELD H. EDMONDS
NORMAN N. LEE
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORS, 23, BANK STREET, BRADFORD.
All rights reserved
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
PREFACE 5
CHAPTER I. Flies. Table I. Table II. Dressings 7
CHAPTER II. Fly Fishing. Wet-Fly Fishing. Dry-Fly Fishing 31
CHAPTER III. Creeper and Stone Fly Fishing 62
CHAPTER IV. Upstream Worm Fishing 69
CHAPTER V. Minnow Fishing 91
INDEX 103
ILLUSTRATIONS.
FRONTISPIECE: The Wharfe near Burnsall
Snipe’s Wing, Inner side 8
Snipe’s Wing, Outer side 8
Shades of Silk 10
Drawings of Natural Flies 12
Flies with Dressing Materials 16 et seq.
A Typical Stretch 30
Headwaters of the Aire 46
Broken Water 60
The Head of the Dale 76
A Brook in Spring 96
PREFACE.
When the writers began to take a practical interest in trout fly
dressing, they experienced great difficulty in determining the correct
feathers for the various patterns, as the older books on the subject
of North Country flies are vague in the extreme. The few more modern
writers on wet flies, for want of precision, have done little to help
the beginner to a proper appreciation of his materials. It was therefore
felt that a book, which not only prescribed the exact part of a bird from
which the correct feathers should be taken, but illustrated such feathers
and other materials (as also the flies made therefrom), in colour,
would be a help, at least to beginners in the craft, and not merely an
encumbrance on angling literature.
Having conceded the difficulties of the novice wishing to dress his own
flies, the question of the number of patterns necessary for fishing the
Rivers of the North Country naturally came next for consideration. As the
tendency during recent years has been to increase the number out of all
reason and beyond practical bounds, to the great bewilderment of the
beginner and the occasional fisherman, a list of flies has been drawn up
which, while it contains few patterns as compared with many other lists,
is yet wide enough to provide for varying conditions the season through.
The flies are for the most part old friends, but for the above reasons it
is hoped they will not be unwelcome.
The original scheme of this work was limited by the foregoing
considerations. But when the book had been mapped out in a general form
it became evident that a description of the methods employed in fishing
North Country streams with success would not only give point to what the
writers had to say on flies, but might be of interest to the majority of
North Country fishermen. It was therefore decided to enlarge the scope
of the work. The chapters on the various methods of fishing the Rivers
of the Northern Counties are the outcome of practical experience, and as
such it is hoped they will be both useful and interesting.
The authors desire to express their indebtedness to Mrs. A. R. Gurney,
Mr. L. A. Edmonds, and Mr. F. Creedy for the photographs from which
several of the river scenes have been reproduced.
H. H. E.
N. N. L.
1916.
CHAPTER I.
FLIES.
While it is the endeavour of this work to bring the range of trout flies
within reasonable and practical limits and to describe no other than
sound practical dressings, there is no desire to limit experiment either
in patterns or numbers. In fact to do so would take away one of the
pleasantest features of the pastime and rob many a winter’s evening of
its delight. All those who take an interest in fly dressing should work
from Nature wherever possible, for flies frequently differ in no small
degree in different localities; and there is a great deal of enjoyment
to be obtained in dressing a fly with the natural insect before one, and
afterwards killing trout on the resulting work of one’s hands.
It is not intended to devote any space to the processes of fly-tying, as
much has been written on the subject. The reader in search of information
cannot do better than read the late H. G. McClelland’s book, _The Trout
Fly Dresser’s Cabinet of Devices, or How to tie Flies for Trout and
Grayling Fishing_, which is the most practical and exhaustive treatise on
the subject known to the writers.
The illustrations, facing this page, of both sides of a Snipe’s wing will
show the reader the precise places from which the various wing feathers,
described in the text, are taken, and while the descriptions of the
feathers may not satisfy the naturalist, they are sufficient for the
purposes of the writers.
It is naturally of importance in fly-dressing to use no hooks but
the best, and it will be found that Hardy Bros.’ tapered snecks are
satisfactory in every respect, except that they are on the long side. If
about one-sixteenth of an inch be cut off the shank with an old pair of
scissors before dressing the fly, a more useful length will be attained,
as artificial flies are much more killing if kept short in the body.
Stress is laid on this; and it will be seen from the illustrations of the
flies that the tail ends of the bodies are not carried further down the
hook than half way between the point of the hook and the point of the
barb. For the two floating Spinners, Hardy Bros.’ Dry Fly Eyed Hooks are
recommended. The numbers of the hooks given in the text correspond with
the numbers enumerated in Hardy Bros.’ catalogue.
[Illustration: _Inner side_]
[Illustration: _Outer side_]
The writers prefer to dress their flies to gut, 4x being the most
suitable grade; but good hair, if it can be obtained, will be found
delightful to fish with, as a cast made from it falls so very lightly
on the water; and, even when the hair has become thoroughly soaked, the
droppers, unlike those tied to gut, have no tendency to twist round the
cast, but stand well out from it.
The most satisfactory tying silk is Pearsall’s “Gossamer,” which is
standardized in shades. A shade card is illustrated and the numbers
appearing after the various silks mentioned in the text correspond with
the numbers above the various shades illustrated.
In dressing the flies the silk is in all cases waxed with transparent
wax; and, where it is stated that such and such a silk is to be well
waxed, the result should be a shade or two darker than an ordinary waxing
would give.
In the dressings of most of the winged flies it is laid down that either
the outer side or the inner side of the quill feather used should in
the finished article appear as the “under side” of the wing of the
artificial. The reader will easily understand which is the “under side”
of the wing of the artificial if he remembers that it is that side of the
wing which would touch the water if the fly were “spent” and floating
thereon.
Although the primary quill feathers are almost exclusively recommended
for the wings of most of the winged patterns, the secondaries will often
do equally well.
The correct shade of dubbing for the bodies of flies, where coloured
dubbing is specified, can often be obtained to most advantage by a
mixture of two or more shades. For instance, the dubbing for the Winter
Brown is a mixture of brown and maroon wool, while the dubbing for the
Green Insect is a mixture of green and yellow wool.
The silks forming the heads of the various flies are of the same shade as
the respective silks used for the bodies unless otherwise stated; and it
should be borne in mind that the flies, particularly the hackle patterns,
must be dressed lightly, if one of the most distinctive features of the
North Country patterns is to be preserved. In copying from Nature let the
imitation err on the small side if anything.
No attempt has been made to reproduce in the coloured plates either gold
or silver wire or tinsel.
When the river is “coloured,” flies dressed a size larger than those
employed under normal conditions can be used with advantage.
Although the seasons for the various flies are given, they are
approximate only, as districts frequently vary one from another, and the
lateness or otherwise of a season naturally has an effect on the hatch,
just as it has on the roses in gardens. Often the March Brown can be
seen in the latter part of May, and sometimes a particular fly, for no
apparent reason, will remain on the water for a longer time than usual.
The necessity of careful observation cannot therefore be too strongly
impressed, as observation will teach far more than all the books that
were ever written.
[Illustration: _Shades of Silk._]
The form of wing specified for the Spinners is recommended to the
attention of the reader, as being a most practical form of wing for any
winged pattern, wet or dry, where transparency is the primary object. To
the writers it seems an improvement on the hackle points now so popular
for many flies, as it is free from the objectionable and comparatively
thick midrib of the latter and it is a harder wearing dressing than the
older form. The development to which such newer form of wing lends itself
for other patterns than the Spinners mentioned in the list at pages 24,
26 and 30 may be noted, and the field which is open for experiment will
be evident to the reader.
Under the name of each fly, in giving its dressing, the name of the order
or family to which the natural insect as represented by the artificial
belongs will be found, and opposite page 12 reproductions of typical
examples of each of the orders or families of natural insects mentioned
will be found, with the exception of the Ant and Green Insect. The latter
are so well known as to need no illustration. The beginner will therefore
have an idea of the fly he is copying and perhaps be able to identify
it at the stream side. It must not be forgotten however that certain
patterns represent more than one species of fly.
It has been the good fortune of the writers to fish on many waters; and
while the Winter Brown has often given them the first thrill of the
season, and the Green Insect accounted for fish when September gusts
have strewn the river with leaves and green fly, they hope they have
not grown dogmatic in their views and opinions on matters piscatorial.
Nevertheless they are inclined to think that, the closer they keep in
shade and colour in their patterns to the natural flies, the greater
has been their success; for, although they can recall occasions on
which the fish would rise at almost anything, such occasions have been
few and far apart; while the times when the trout would only look at a
particular fly of a particular shade have been by far the more frequent
in their experience. Why deny fish the power to appreciate variations
of shade when they live in a world of colours, and are clothed in such
a beautiful and vari-coloured mail? If trout can appreciate tones of
colour, how different a fly must appear to them in different lights and
with different backgrounds. Such natural variations of surrounding light
and landscape may have a larger effect on “the bag” than many think.
For easy reference two tables of flies are given. One, in which are set
down the flies in the order in which they may generally be fished through
the season, with the approximate times of their use, and the other, with
the flies tabled under the various trout fishing months.
It remains only to add, that the taking fly should be fished as point,
_i.e._, the fly farthest from the angler.
[Illustration: _Natural Flies of the Orders & Families named_]
TABLE I.
1. Winter Brown March to middle of April.
2. Waterhen Bloa March to end of April and again in September.
3. Greenwell’s Glory March to first week in May and again in
September.
4. Spring Black March and early April.
5. Dark Snipe March to middle of April and again in
September.
6. Orange Partridge March to middle of May.
7. Broughton’s Point March to middle of April.
8. March Brown April and often May.
9. Light Snipe Middle of April to middle of May and again
in September.
10. Dark Needle Middle of April to end of June and again
in September.
11. Brown Owl Latter part of April to end of June.
12. Olive Bloa Latter part of April and throughout May.
13. Dark Watchet Last week in April and throughout May and
sometimes early June.
14. Yellow Partridge May to middle of June.
15. Light Needle May, June and July.
16. Yellow-Legged Bloa May to end of June.
17. Dotterel Middle of May to end of Season.
18. Poult Bloa Middle of May to middle of July.
19. Gravel Bed Middle of May to end of June.
20. Stone Midge Middle of May to end of June.
21. Knotted Midge Middle of May to end of July.
22. Black Gnat Middle of May to end of August.
23. Ginger Spinner (Wet) June, July and August.
24. Dark Sedge Middle of June to the end of the Season.
25. Light Sedge Middle of June to the end of the Season.
26. Red Spinner (Wet) July, August and September.
27. July Dun July and August.
28. Rough-Bodied Poult July, August and September.
29. Pale Watery Dun Middle of July to the end of September.
30. Light Silverhorns Middle of July to the end of August.
31. Dark Silverhorns Middle of July to the end of August.
32. August Dun Last week in July, August and September.
33. Ant August to second week in September.
34. Green Insect August and September.
35. Ginger Spinner (Dry) June, July and August.
36. Red Spinner (Dry) July, August and September.
TABLE II.
MARCH.
Winter Brown.
Waterhen Bloa.
Greenwell’s Glory.
Spring Black.
Dark Snipe.
Orange Partridge.
Broughton’s Point.
APRIL.
Winter Brown.
Waterhen Bloa.
Greenwell’s Glory.
Spring Black.
Dark Snipe.
Orange Partridge.
Broughton’s Point.
March Brown.
Light Snipe.
Dark Needle.
Brown Owl.
Olive Bloa.
Dark Watchet.
MAY.
Greenwell’s Glory.
Orange Partridge.
March Brown.
Light Snipe.
Dark Needle.
Brown Owl.
Olive Bloa.
Dark Watchet.
Yellow Partridge.
Light Needle.
Yellow-Legged Bloa.
Dotterel.
Poult Bloa.
Gravel Bed.
Stone Midge.
Knotted Midge.
Black Gnat.
JUNE.
Dark Needle.
Brown Owl.
Dark Watchet.
Yellow Partridge.
Light Needle.
Yellow-Legged Bloa.
Dotterel.
Poult Bloa.
Gravel Bed.
Stone Midge.
Knotted Midge.
Black Gnat.
Ginger Spinner (Wet and Dry).
Dark Sedge.
Light Sedge.
JULY.
Light Needle.
Dotterel.
Poult Bloa.
Knotted Midge.
Black Gnat.
Ginger Spinner (Wet and Dry).
Dark Sedge.
Light Sedge.
Red Spinner (Wet and Dry).
July Dun.
Rough-Bodied Poult.
Pale Watery Dun.
Light Silverhorns.
Dark Silverhorns.
August Dun.
AUGUST.
Dotterel.
Black Gnat.
Ginger Spinner (Wet and Dry).
Dark Sedge.
Light Sedge.
Red Spinner (Wet and Dry).
July Dun.
Rough-bodied Poult.
Pale Watery Dun.
Light Silverhorns.
Dark Silverhorns.
August Dun.
Ant.
Green Insect.
SEPTEMBER.
Waterhen Bloa.
Greenwell’s Glory.
Dark Snipe.
Light Snipe.
Dark Needle.
Dotterel.
Dark Sedge.
Light Sedge.
Red Spinner (Wet and Dry).
Rough-bodied Poult.
Pale Watery Dun.
August Dun.
Ant.
Green Insect.
DRESSINGS.
WET FLIES.
No. 1.
WINTER BROWN.
PERLIDÆ
Hook 1 or 2.
WINGS.—Hackled with a greyish feather, barred, from the under
coverts of a Woodcock’s wing. (The lighter side of the feather
towards the head of the fly).
BODY.—Orange silk, No. 6a, dubbed with ruddy brown wool, the
three turns next the tail showing distinct orange.
HEAD.—Bronze Peacock herl.
March to middle of April.
No. 2.
WATERHEN BLOA.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1 or 2.
WINGS.—Hackled with a smoky grey feather from the under coverts
of a Waterhen’s wing. (The darker side of the feather towards
the head of the fly).
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with Mole’s fur.
HEAD.—Yellow silk.
March to end of April, and again in September.
No. 3.
GREENWELL’S GLORY.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1 or 2.
WINGS.—From a hen Blackbird’s primary quill feather, bunched
and split.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, well waxed, ribbed with four turns of
fine gold wire or tinsel.
LEGS.—Cochybondu Hen’s hackle.
HEAD.—Yellow silk, well waxed.
March to first week in May, and again in September, although, by dressing
with a lighter wing, body and hackle, the fly can be used during the
intervening months.
No. 4.
SPRING BLACK.
DIPTERA (GNAT).
Hook 0.
WINGS.—Hackled with a black Cock’s hackle or a blue black
feather from an adult Starling’s neck.
BODY.—Purple silk, No. 8, dubbed sparingly with Magpie herl.
HEAD.—Purple silk.
March and early April.
[Illustration: 1 2 3 4]
No. 5.
DARK SNIPE OR SNIPE AND PURPLE.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with the dark feather from the marginal coverts
of a Snipe’s wing.
BODY.—Purple silk, No. 8.
HEAD.—Purple silk.
March to middle of April, and again in September.
No. 6.
ORANGE PARTRIDGE.
PERLIDÆ AND EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a brown mottled (not barred) feather from a
Partridge’s neck, or back.
BODY.—Orange silk, No. 6a, or orange silk, No. 6a, ribbed with
about four turns of gold wire or tinsel.
HEAD.—Orange silk.
March to middle of May.
No. 7.
BROUGHTON’S POINT OR DARK BLOA.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1 or 2.
WINGS.—From a Starling’s primary quill feather, the outer side
of the feather as the under side of the wing.
BODY.—Claret silk, No. 13.
LEGS.—A black Hen’s hackle.
HEAD.—Claret silk.
March to middle of April.
No. 8a.
MARCH BROWN.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 2 or 3.
WINGS.—From a quill feather from a Partridge’s tail, greyish in
tone, the top side of the feather as the under side of the wing.
BODY.—Orange silk, No. 6a, dubbed with sandy fur taken from
near the base of a Hare’s ear and ribbed with yellow silk, No.
4.
TAIL.—Two strands from a Partridge’s tail, same feather as the
one used for the wings.
LEGS.—Greyish brown feather from a Partridge’s back.
HEAD.—Orange silk.
April and often May.
[Illustration: 5 6 7 8A]
No. 8b.
MARCH BROWN.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 2 or 3.
WINGS.—Hackled with a mottled brown feather from a Snipe’s rump.
BODY.—Orange silk, No. 6a, dubbed with fur from the nape of a
Rabbit’s neck which has been lightly tinged red with Crawshaw’s
Red Spinner dye, and ribbed with gold wire or tinsel.
TAIL.—Two strands from a feather from a Snipe’s rump, same
feather as is used for the wings.
HEAD.—Orange silk.
April, and often May.
No. 9.
LIGHT SNIPE OR SNIPE BLOA.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a bluish feather from the under coverts of
a Snipe’s wing. (The lighter side of the feather towards the
head of the fly).
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4.
HEAD.—Yellow silk.
Middle of April to middle of May, and again in September.
No. 10.
DARK NEEDLE.
PERLIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a brownish feather taken from where the
hinder part of a Starling’s wing joins the body, (There are
only about four of these feathers on each side of the bird.) or
with a brownish feather from the back of a Swift.
BODY.—Orange brown silk, No. 6b.
HEAD.—Magpie herl.
Middle of April to the end of June, and again in September.
No. 11.
BROWN OWL.
TRICHOPTERA.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a reddish brown feather from the lesser
coverts of a Tawny or Brown Owl’s wing.
BODY.—Orange silk, No. 6a.
HEAD.—Bronze Peacock herl.
Latter part of April to end of June.
[Illustration: 8B 9 10 11]
No. 12.
OLIVE BLOA.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with an olive green feather from a Green
Plover’s neck.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, well waxed.
HEAD.—Orange brown silk, No. 6b.
Latter part of April and throughout May.
No. 13a.
DARK WATCHET OR IRON BLUE DUN.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 00.
WINGS.—Hackled with a dark smoky blue feather from a Jackdaw’s
throat.
BODY.—Orange and purple silk, Nos. 6a and 8, twisted together,
dubbed very sparingly with Mole’s fur and wound on the body so
that the orange and purple show in alternate bands.
HEAD.—Orange silk.
Last week in April and throughout May, and sometimes early June.
Particularly for dull days.
No. 13b.
DARK WATCHET OR IRON BLUE DUN.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 00.
WINGS.—From the darkish blue feather from a Blue Tit’s tail,
bunched and split.
BODY.—Same as No. 13a.
TAIL.—Two strands from a medium grizzled blue Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—Feather from a young Starling’s thigh or flank.
HEAD.—Orange silk.
Last week in April and throughout May, and sometimes early June. For
brighter days.
No. 14.
YELLOW PARTRIDGE.
PERLIDÆ AND DIPTERA (CRANE-FLY).
Hook 0 or 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a greyish feather barely tinged with brown,
from a Partridge’s back.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4.
HEAD.—Yellow silk.
May to middle of June.
[Illustration: 12 13A 13B 14]
No. 15.
LIGHT NEEDLE.
PERLIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a feather from a young Starling’s thigh or
flank.
BODY.—Orange silk, No. 6a.
HEAD.—Orange silk.
May, June and July.
No. 16.
YELLOW-LEGGED BLOA.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—From a young Starling’s light primary quill feather, the
outer side of the feather as the under side of the wing.
BODY.—Primrose yellow silk, No. 3.
TAIL.—Two strands from a very pale ginger Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—A Cock’s hackle dyed a rich primrose yellow.
HEAD.—Primrose yellow silk.
May to end of June.
No. 17.
DOTTEREL.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a light-tipped fawnish feather from the
marginal coverts or lesser coverts of a Dotterel’s wing.
BODY.—Orange silk, No. 6, or primrose yellow silk, No. 3.
HEAD.—Orange silk, or primrose yellow silk.
If the Dotterel feather is unobtainable a feather from the under coverts
of a young Starling’s wing makes a fair substitute.
Middle of May to end of Season.
No. 18.
POULT BLOA.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a light blue feather from the under coverts
of a young Grouse wing, taken before the bird is strong on the
wing. (The lighter side of the feather towards the head of the
fly.) This feather darkens very rapidly on the live bird from
August onwards.
BODY.—Primrose yellow silk, No. 3.
HEAD.—Primrose yellow silk.
Middle of May to middle of July.
[Illustration: 15 16 17 18]
No. 19.
GRAVEL BED.
DIPTERA (Crane-fly).
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a greyish feather, lightly tinged with
brown, from a Partridge’s neck.
BODY.—Blue silk, No. 7, dubbed with blue-grey fur from the
flank of an Opossum.
HEAD.—Blue silk.
Middle of May to end of June. A useful fly in a coloured water.
No. 20.
STONE MIDGE.
DIPTERA (Gnat).
Hook 0 or 00.
WINGS.—Hackled with an olive green feather from a Green
Plover’s neck.
BODY.—Grey silk, No. 9a, well waxed, or ash-coloured silk, No.
10, but in both cases dubbed sparingly with bluey-grey Heron
herl.
HEAD.—Magpie herl.
Middle of May to end of June.
No. 21.
KNOTTED MIDGE.
DIPTERA (Gnat).
Hook 0 or 00.
WINGS.—Hackled down the body “palmerwise” with a small black
Cock’s hackle.
BODY.—Ash-coloured silk, No. 10, dubbed with dark Heron herl.
HEAD.—Magpie herl.
Middle of May to end of July.
For close days.
No. 22.
BLACK GNAT.
DIPTERA (Gnat).
Hook 00.
WINGS.—A few fibres from a light blue Hen’s hackle put on as a
single wing.
BODY.—Black silk, No. 9.
LEGS.—Rusty black Hen’s hackle.
HEAD.—Black silk.
Middle of May to end of August.
For close days.
[Illustration: 19 20 21 22]
No. 23.
GINGER SPINNER.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 1.
WINGS.—Fibres of light grizzled blue Cock’s hackle.
BODY.—Flat gold wire with a wrapping over it of orange silk,
No. 6, the silk to be untwisted and only one or two strands
used.
TAIL.—Two strands from a ginger Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—Ginger Cock’s hackle.
HEAD.—Orange silk.
June, July and August.
No. 24.
DARK SEDGE.
TRICHOPTERA.
Hook 1 or 2.
WINGS.—Hackled with a reddish brown feather from the lesser
coverts of a Tawny or Brown Owl’s wing.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with brownish fawn Seal’s fur.
HEAD.—Brownish green herl from the tail of a cock Pheasant.
Middle of June to end of the Season.
No. 25a.
LIGHT SEDGE.
TRICHOPTERA.
Hook 1 or 2.
WINGS.—Hackled with a light-barred reddish feather, from the
lesser coverts of a Landrail’s wing.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with reddish fur from the
thigh of a Squirrel.
HEAD.—A reddish herl from the tail of a cock Pheasant.
Middle of June to the end of the Season.
No. 25b.
LIGHT SEDGE.
TRICHOPTERA.
Hook 1 or 2.
WINGS.—From a light barred reddish feather, from the lesser
coverts of a Landrail’s wing (a larger feather than the one
used for No. 25a), the outer side of the feather as the outside
of the wing. Wings put on “penthouse” fashion.
BODY.—Same as No. 25a.
LEGS.—Reddish feather from the marginal coverts of a Landrail’s
wing.
HEAD.—Same as No. 25a.
Middle of June to the end of the Season.
[Illustration: 23 24 25A 25B]
No. 26.
RED SPINNER.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—Fibres of medium grizzled blue Cock’s hackle.
BODY.—Red silk, No. 12, dubbed with maroon wool and ribbed with
four turns of fine gold wire or tinsel.
TAIL.—Two strands from a deep red Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—Deep red Cock’s hackle.
HEAD.—Red silk.
July, August and September.
No. 27.
JULY DUN.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—From a Coot’s primary quill feather, the outer side of
the feather as the under side of the wing.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed sparingly with Mole’s fur.
TAIL.—Two strands from a medium olive Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—Medium olive Hen’s hackle.
HEAD.—Yellow silk.
July and August.
No. 28.
ROUGH-BODIED POULT.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 1.
WINGS.—Hackled with a light blue feather from the under coverts
of a young Grouse wing, taken before the bird is strong on the
wing. (The lighter side of the feather towards the head of the
fly.) This feather darkens very rapidly on the live bird from
August onwards.
BODY.—Straw-coloured silk, No. 2, dubbed sparingly with buff
fur from the flank of an Opossum.
HEAD.—Straw-coloured silk.
July, August and September.
No. 29.
PALE WATERY DUN.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 1.
WINGS.—From a young Starling’s light primary quill feather, the
inner side of the feather as the under side of the wing.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with palest buff fur from the
flank of an Oppossum.
TAIL.—Two strands from palest ginger Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—Light blue Hen’s hackle.
HEAD.—Yellow silk.
Middle of July to the end of September.
[Illustration: 26 27 28 29]
No. 30.
LIGHT SILVERHORNS.
TRICHOPTERA.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—From a Thrush’s secondary quill feather, the outer
side of the feather as the outside of the wing, or from a
Landrail’s primary quill feather, the outer side of the
feather as the outside of the wing. Wings put on “penthouse”
fashion.
BODY.—Ash-coloured silk, No. 10, sparingly dubbed with reddish
grey fur from the thigh of a Squirrel.
LEGS.—Feather from a young Starling’s thigh or flank.
HEAD.—Ash-coloured silk.
ANTENNÆ.—Two strands from a black and white feather from a
Mallard’s breast.
Middle of July to the end of August.
No. 31.
DARK SILVERHORNS.
TRICHOPTERA.
Hook 1.
WINGS.—From a Waterhen’s primary quill feather, the outer
side of the feather as the outside of the wing. Wings put on
“penthouse” fashion.
BODY.—Black silk, No. 9, dubbed very sparingly with Mole’s fur
and ribbed with olive silk, No. 11.
LEGS.—Black Cock’s hackle or Green Plover’s topping.
HEAD.—Black silk.
ANTENNÆ.—Two strands from a black and white feather from a
Mallard’s breast.
Middle of July to the end of August.
No. 32.
AUGUST DUN.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 2.
WINGS.—From a Mallard’s breast feather, lightly tinged with
brown.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with yellow olive wool and
ribbed with orange silk, No. 6, sparingly spun with fur from
the nape of a Rabbit’s neck which has been lightly tinged red
with Crawshaw’s Red Spinner dye.
TAIL.—Two strands from a medium olive Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—Medium olive Hen’s hackle.
HEAD.—Yellow silk.
Last week in July, August and September.
No. 33.
ANT.
HYMENOPTERA.
Hook 0.
WINGS.—Hackled with a light blue Hen’s hackle.
BODY.—Orange brown silk, No. 6b, dressed full at the tail with
bronze Peacock herl, then a few turns of the silk towards the
head, then dressed full at the shoulder with bronze Peacock
herl.
HEAD.—Orange brown silk.
August to second week in September.
[Illustration: 30 31 32 33]
No. 34.
GREEN INSECT.
APHIDES.
Hook 00 or 000.
WINGS.—Hackled with a light blue Cock’s hackle.
BODY.—Yellow silk, No. 4, dubbed with bright green olive wool.
HEAD.—Yellow silk.
August and September. Particularly on gusty days.
DRY FLIES.
No. 35.
GINGER SPINNER.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 1, eyed.
WINGS.—Fibres of light grizzled blue Cock’s hackle dressed
“spent.”
BODY.—Light cinnamon quill.
TAIL.—Two strands from a ginger Cock’s hackle.
LEGS.—Ginger Cock’s hackle, two turns at the most, as the fly
must be dressed lightly.
HEAD.—Orange silk, No. 6.
June, July and August.
No. 36.
RED SPINNER.
EPHEMERIDÆ.
Hook 0 or 1, eyed.
WINGS.—Fibres of medium grizzled blue Cock’s hackle dressed
“spent.”
BODY.—Red quill.
TAIL.—Two strands of Gallina, dyed red brown.
LEGS.—Deep red Cock’s hackle, two turns at the most, as the fly
must be dressed lightly.
HEAD.—Red silk, No. 12.
July, August and September.
[Illustration: 34 35 36]
[Illustration: _A Typical Stretch_
_Photo by Mrs. A. R. Gurney_]