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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
34 35 36
A Typical Stretch
Photo by Mrs. A. R. Gurney
Chapter II.
FLY FISHING.
So much has already been written on fly fishing by men of wide and varied experience, that it is with no little diffidence the writers approach the subject. Yet the more thoroughly the whole art of trout fishing is explored, the more engrossing does it become, and, as experience is gained, the more evident it appears that little is really known and that a vast field still remains open for investigation.
It is not intended to try in this chapter to teach the art of fly fishing, as more can be learned by observation, perseverance and practice on the river, than by reading all that was ever written on the subject; but it is desired, by emphasizing a few essential points, to help the novice through his initial difficulties.
Some anglers who are only able to devote a few weeks during the season to their pastime are content to go to the local tackle dealer or the professional fisherman and to rely entirely on his advice. While it is always well to consult the “local men”—quaint characters for the most part and many of them cobblers by trade—it is often a mistake to rely entirely upon them; for, if a man’s ambition be to get out of the rut and to kill fish under difficult conditions, he must think for himself.
The “local man” often has a strong partiality for certain patterns of flies, no matter what the conditions. Only recently the writers came across a most glaring example of this particular tendency, which is perhaps worth mentioning in order to illustrate their point. Arriving at the river one September afternoon, they noticed on the opposite bank the local professional, who is held in very high esteem as a fisherman. He certainly casts as neat a line as the writers have ever seen thrown. In answer to their enquiry, “What sport?”, they received the reply, “A few,” and were more than a little astonished to learn that he was using flies which, in their opinion, were more suitable for the end of July. It is always a pleasure to see this man cast, so they sat down and watched him. Time after time he put his flies in the most beautiful manner over rising fish, but without result, although the water was coloured and the fish continued to rise steadily. Soon one showed within casting distance of the bank on which the writers were seated, so a fly was immediately put over him and was accepted at the first offer. Earlier that day there had been a large hatch of Dark Needles, and it was an imitation of that insect which induced the rise. Alternately the writers threw over rising fish with more or less success; but the professional, who persevered for another half-hour without changing his flies, at last gave up in disgust. For the time being at least he was beaten. Not that he did not know the river or understand the habits of the trout—both were to him as an open book—but simply because he was deficient in his knowledge of insect life. This man probably knew some ten or a dozen good all-round flies which he used the season through, but without due regard to the hatch of natural insects.
Now put yourself in the professional’s position on that particular day, only add to his knowledge that of insect life. On finding your flies rejected, you would have picked from off the water, and examined, the natural insects which were floating down; then, immediately realizing what was amiss, you would have substituted an imitation of the taking fly for one on your cast. Success would have followed failure, and a light-hearted angler would have tramped homewards at sunset with a creel the heavier for his practical knowledge.
From the foregoing it will be gathered that the novice should make it his first duty to study on every possible occasion the insect life of the river he is going to fish, and not merely rely upon the tackle dealer or professional to supply his deficiency in this, or indeed in other matters. By this let it not be thought that the writers consider it necessary to go deeply into the study of entomology, fascinating as that study is; but if the greatest amount of pleasure is to be derived, and incidentally a fair number of fish to be killed, it is essential that the angler should arm himself with a good general knowledge of river insect life.
A great deal in this direction can be learned by an occasional emptying of a trout’s stomach into a glass of water, and an examination of the débris after they have been separated by a brisk stir round. It is most instructive, and it shows how catholic fish are in their feeding. It shows too, not infrequently, the reasons for a poor day’s sport, and often gives a hint which may turn failure into success on some future occasion.
Though a knowledge of insect life is highly important, it is equally necessary to learn to adapt oneself to varying conditions.
This latter point may at the first glance appear unnecessarily elementary, so much so as to seem hardly worth making, but speaking from personal experience, the writers think that, probably on account of its very obviousness, it often receives far less attention than it deserves.
How many anglers, after working the long winter through begin, as the trout season draws near, to let their thoughts wander to some favourite stream and live for days, aye, almost weeks, in anticipation of the opening day? They conjure up in their minds all the details that have gone to make up some red-letter day in the past, the whole scene comes up as fresh as ever, and memory, ever willing, gives them a most vivid picture of the pool in which the fish of the season put up his last gallant struggle. They recall those exciting moments when the strength of the cast was taxed to its utmost as the fish wildly endeavoured to reach the roots of an overhanging tree, and the joyful feeling of power that crept over them when at last the lusty trout, having somewhat spent himself, allowed them to regain a foot or two of line. Then came that last mad rush when the captive perceived the net.
These memories are happy indeed, though often enough they lead one astray, as, when the eve of the opening day arrives, one has probably definitely decided to begin operations at the exact pool that was the scene of one’s former success. Is this adapting oneself to circumstances? It can hardly be so, and yet probably very few can say that they have never fallen a victim to such foolishness.
The wise man waits until the morrow, when he can see how the wind strikes his favourite stream or reach, whether the water is too high or too low, and whether the sport that it normally might be expected to yield is going to be adversely affected by any other condition. If so, even though disappointed, he will find a more suitable place at which to begin and no doubt at the end of the day his creel will reveal the reward of his adaptability to circumstance.
The consideration of adaptability to circumstance naturally brings one to a classification and subsequent subdivision of the methods of fly fishing, which methods, judiciously and intelligently combined, make for the true road to success.
Fly fishing may be practised in two principal ways, with the wet fly and with the dry fly.
In the former, as the name implies, the flies are fished slightly submerged; and three or sometimes four flies may be used on the cast. They are placed some 20 inches or so apart, but varied as to distance according to the state of the river, greater distance between them being necessary, and fewer flies being used, in low clear water. In dry-fly fishing, as perhaps it is unnecessary to state, only one fly is used, and it is made to float by being whipped through the air after each cast, so as to shake off any globules of water that may be attached to the feathers, a process which is generally assisted by the fly being lightly touched with oil before use.
Before going further it is as well to say a few words regarding the rod and tackle. The length of rod the writers find most useful is 10 ft. 6 ins., and, if it is to be used for wet-fly fishing exclusively, they would unhesitatingly recommend a two-piece rod made of greenheart, or of hickory for the butt, with greenheart top, not too whippy and not too stiff. Such a rod is softer in the action and less tiring to the wrist than one made of split cane. That is a matter well worth consideration when one is whipping the stream for long periods at a stretch.
For dry-fly fishing however, and general use, and for almost unending wear, a split-cane rod by one of the first-class makers will probably best suit the requirements of the average man; only in selecting the rod, of whatever pattern, great care should be devoted to getting one which, with reel and line attached, will make a harmonious whole. If the rod be a split cane, it should be rather more whippy than the average type in use on Chalk streams. These points should be carefully attended to, otherwise the beginner, after working for an hour or so, will find his wrist growing tired, and he will then get into a slovenly way of casting, which is easier to learn than to unlearn.
Regarding the reel, line and cast, we should recommend, if the reader is buying his rod from a man of practical experience, that he leaves the first two to the maker’s discretion. He will then no doubt get both reel and line of suitable weight for the rod. The cast should be approximately three yards, tapered, the last yard being of finest drawn gut for ordinary waters, but a coarser cast may be used when fishing a full or slightly coloured water. A good cast for ordinary waters can be made of ten strands of gut, each strand either 12 or 14 inches in length and tapered as follows:—First two strands of Quarter drawn, then two strands of Half drawn, then three strands of 2x, and finally three strands of 4x.