Its wings are very much like those of the Alder in shape and veining, and the fly is nearly the same size, though perhaps it is, on an average, very slightly smaller. Here, however, the resemblance ends. Its anterior wings are of a light reddish-brown colour, and are more transparent than are those of the Alder. The body is also shorter in proportion to its wings, and is closely covered with light yellow hairs, which, on the darker background of the body, gives it a greyish-yellow appearance.
This fly is taken freely by both trout and grayling, and I have seen dace feeding on it greedily.
Body. Lightest yellow fur from the water-rat, spun on black silk.
Hackle. Light red.
Wings. The peculiar shape and colour of the wings are best represented by the tip of a feather covering the roots of the quill feathers in the wing of the landrail. These feathers are of a reddish brown colour, and are found near the upper edge on the outer surface of the wing. The most superficial and reddish feathers are the best. These feathers should be taken from opposite wings, and prepared by stripping off some of the fibres so that they may appear as shown in the illustration of the artificial fly on [Plate III]. [Plate I]. gives an illustration of the natural fly.
Hook. No. 9—4, new size.
The Welshman’s Button (Sericostoma collare, Pict.).
This fly is very numerous in some places, and is taken readily by trout. The body of the imitation is generally made of peacock herle, but this makes it much too thick. The fly generally appears early in June.
It is said that this fly is often mistaken for the Alder, but it should be easy to discriminate between them. In the Alder the anterior wings are smooth, broad and strong, in the Welshman’s Button they are covered with hairs and narrow. This fly is usually smaller than the Alder.
Body. Reddish brown wool, ribbed with narrow gold tinsel.