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.