My reader may be surprised at the order in which I have arranged the various flies; but it was necessary, or at any rate very much more convenient, to arrange them in the way I have, as entomological accuracy of arrangement in a work on fishing must not be the first consideration of the author. That the wings of the Alder and the Caddis flies are in practically the same position in relation to their bodies, was my reason for placing the descriptions of these flies next each other, and this instance is sufficient to suggest to those of my readers who are entomologists, reasons for the other cases in which I have not placed the descriptions of the various flies in their correct sequence.
A disclaimer must also be my preface to the second part of my work, for I know that I am far from being the first in thinking that the wet fly of the fisherman is not taken by the fish for the natural fly it is supposed to represent.
Here my hope is that my reader will find a definite theory which is sufficiently plausible to interest him, at least for the moment.
I have to acknowledge the kind assistance of Dr. G. A. Buckmaster, Lecturer on Physiology at St. George’s Hospital, of Mr. Ernest E. Austen, of the British Museum (Natural History), and of several other gentlemen.
I must also thank the Editor of Land and Water for allowing me to republish an article in the first part of my book, and the Editor of The Field for a similar permission with regard to certain articles which appear in the second part.
Mrs. J. R. Richardson, of Kingston-on-Thames, has also given me some hints as to improvements in the dressing of some of the flies described.
Charles Walker.
CONTENTS
| PART I | ||
| DRY FLIES | ||
| CHAPTER I | ||
| PAGE | ||
| Introductory | [3] | |
| CHAPTER II | ||
| Colour Perception in Fish | [14] | |
| CHAPTER III | ||
| How to Dress Flies with the Wings in the Natural Position | [29] | |
| CHAPTER IV | ||
| The Alder-fly | [41] | |
| CHAPTER V | ||
| Caddis-flies | [45] | |
| CHAPTER VI | ||
| Perlidæ | [54] | |
| CHAPTER VII | ||
| Diptera | [58] | |
| CHAPTER VIII | ||
| Winged Ants | [73] | |
| CHAPTER IX | ||
| Caterpillars | [76] | |
| PART II | ||
| WET FLIES | ||
| CHAPTER I | ||
| A Theory | [87] | |
| CHAPTER II | ||
| Corixæ | [96] | |
| CHAPTER III | ||
| Fresh-water Shrimp | [107] | |
| Larvæ of Water-Insects | [113] | |
| Some Hints on Dry Fly-Fishing | [115] | |