In dibbing with the artificial fly, hackles are generally to be preferred. Any real fly that may be on the water, if of sufficient size to place on a hook, may be used in this mode of angling.
The flesh-fly will often kill; and the May bug and grasshopper are excellent baits. These should be thus baited:—Have double hooks, of various sizes, tied to a length of good strong gut. This gut must have a loop at one end to attach it to the other gut; which loop must be formed by tying with silk, and not by means of a common knot. To bait with this, insert the end of the loop or noose at the shoulder (directly at the back of the head) of the May bug, grasshopper or fly, and pass it through the body, bringing it out at the tail. Draw the insect along the gut till the shanks of the hooks are buried in his body, leaving only the points standing out on each side of the shoulders. The hooks should be of such a size as to extend a little beyond the bait.
Such I have found to be the neatest and best way of baiting with May bug, grasshopper, and flesh-fly, or other natural fly of sufficient size. The green and grey drakes, however, are too tender to be thus baited. A single hook must therefore be passed through the thickest part of the body, from side to side. The hook should not be very small, but have some of the shank broken off, for the shank should be short.
The gut for dibbing should not only be thick and strong, but should be died a palish blue, which may be thus easily done:—a wineglassful of common gin, having a teaspoonful of black ink mixed with it, must be made hot, and when rather cool, but by no means cold, steep the gut in it until it acquires the depth of colour you wish. The longer it remains in the mixture, the darker it becomes; but care must be taken that it be not too black.
For information on the subject of fishing trout rivers, streams, and lakes in the United Kingdom and France, I would refer the reader to the admirable work of Palmer Hackle, Esq., entitled “Hints on Angling” (Robinson, 69, Fleet-street), and to that of R. O’Connor, Esq., entitled “Field Sports of France” (John Murray, Albemarle-street). He will there find all the information he can desire, especially for fishing the numerous and well-stocked trout streams throughout France. Palmer Hackle agrees with me in the opinions I have expressed on the subject of artificial flies, and so does a French author, Mr. Guillemarde, who published a book on fishing in 1857 (Librairie de L. Hachette and Co., Rue Pierre-Sarazzen, No. 14, Paris). He observes (page 206) that five or six artificial flies of different sizes and colours are sufficient, and adds, “I know well that artificial fly-makers will not be of that opinion, and for a very good reason; but, independently of my own personal experience, I may refer to that of experienced professors, disinterested in the matter.”
Very few Frenchmen are artificial fly-fishers. Mr. Guillemarde advises his countrymen to emulate the English, whom he compliments as masters in the elegant art, which, he says, they practise almost exclusively. He terms them “admirable fishermen,” but spoils the compliment by assuring his readers, “the gentlemen of Great Britain fish in white cravats and kid gloves!”
First-rate fly-fishing may be had in all parts of France, and especially in the department of the Pas de Calais, in which are numerous admirable trout streams well stocked with fish, and where the sport may be enjoyed without interruption. Palmer Hackle, in his work, observes, “An angler who loves his art as none but anglers can, and desires to pursue his cherished recreation undisturbed by the malign influence of game-preservers, and unembittered by the sneers of money-getting fools, must visit the Continent. There he may roam unmolested and uncriticised if his deportment be that of a quiet, sensible man and a gentleman; and his sport will be such as to satisfy the most sanguine professor.”
This, experience enables me fully to confirm, and it seems to be borne out by Mr. Guillemarde, who writes: “I speak of artificial fly-fishing, the most difficult but the most elegant mode of fishing with the line, and in which the preparation and execution, and the address of the professor, are most strikingly displayed and exemplified. Artificial fly-fishing is, at present, but little appreciated, or rather but little known, in France. Every year amateurs from England gather from our streams abundant harvests. It is a spectacle at once curious and humiliating to our national ‘amour propre,’ to observe the astonishment of most of our river-side inhabitants, endeavouring in vain to comprehend by what magic art these ‘honourable gentlemen,’ by flogging the air with their long switches, manage so easily to fill their baskets. May this little book contribute to popularise in our country those methods which are at present practised by so few, and which are equally agreeable and successful.”
FINIS.