Ogden on Fly Tying 1887

B E R K
GENERAL
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OP
CALIFORNIA
OGD EN
V
FLY TYING,
CHELTENHAM
JAMES OGDEN,
28,
:
WINCHCOMB STREET.
LONDON
:
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON,
CROWN BUILDINGS,
188,
FLEET STREET.
1887.
[Entered at Stationers' Hall.}
CONTENTS.
ON FLY
MY
DRESSING
i
FAVOURITE STANDARD FLIES
ON SALMON FLIES
THE MAY FLY
.
ON REELS
ON FLY LINES
.
.
28
THE GREEN DRAKE
ON RODS
A FEW HINTS ON
.
.
.
.
60
69
70
.
.
.
.
FISHING
.71
.
.
OGDEN'S SPRING FOLDINQ LANDING NET
IRELAND
-53
.
...
CASTING
OGDEN'S NOTED SEAT BASKET
ON MINNOW
.6
.25
.
.
72
.
....
.
74
75
78
CHELTENHAM
JOHN
T.
NORMAN,
TYP.,
:
BENNINGTON STREET.
PREFACE.
>rld,
ERRATA.
Page
18,
in line 21, read wings for legs.
in line 20, read me for we.
Page
2i,
Page
23, in
Page
51, in line 20,
read Inn for Sun.
Page
59, in line 13,
read pulling for putting.
second
viz., size
line
and
my
on Fly
from bottom, after points
ly
own
'o
give
add-
to the
colour.
ice
my
ly
late
rs
Wye,
I
as well
as
Wales,
North
who,
have fished Ireland, Scotland, and
and South.
Most of our practice,
myself,
however, lay in Derbyshire.
When I meet with an angler who has gained his
knowledge of the rod, and can make a basket on these
Derbyshire streams, I at once conclude he can kill fish
on any river in the world ; for I have proved beyond
doubt that these waters test the eye as to size and colour,
in dressing the artificial
fly,
far
more than other
streams.
PREFACE.
introducing
|N
my Manual
principal object
Dressing,
and Setting on the Wings
It
peculiar style.
is
my readers the experience of
"
science of
Fly Fishing."
I
have
practical
father,
for
some time
experience,
who had
Wales,
world,
also
my
many
felt
in
intention
my
on Fly
my own
to
give
years devoted to the
a desire to introduce
together with that
of
my
my
late
seventy years' practice on the rivers Wye,
and
Dove, Derbyshire; and who,
have
fished Ireland, Scotland, and
myself,
North and South.
Most of our practice,
Derwent, Lathkill,
as well
to the angling
to give anglers a lesson
is
as
however, lay in Derbyshire.
When I meet with an angler who has gained his
knowledge of the rod, and can make a basket on these
Derbyshire streams, I at once conclude he can kill fish
on any river in the world ; for I have proved beyond
doubt that these waters test the eye as to size and colour,
in dressing the artificial
fly,
far
more than other
streams.
u.
remarkable that the very least colour, and which can
only be discerned by the aid of the magnifying glass,
should make so much difference.
I have frequently
It is
taken three or four
with the middle
fish
fly
a dropper,
and have then changed my end fly for a similar one to
the dropper, but with no better success, but have filled my
At the close of the day's
sport I have placed the two flies under a magnifying
glass, and discovered the slightest shade more colour in
basket with the dropper
fly.
the dropper with which I had killed the fish than could
be seen
in the other
they take one
fly
A
fly.
why
Scotchman would
not another ? and laugh
speak of size and colour being necessary
say he
could
from a
bit
beat
all
killed
a
fly,
while
;
artistically tied
flies.
They
I
and would
going to the
of wool pulled out of his cap,
my
fish
make
say, if
when
burn,
would
that
certainly have
with what they have made, but have been
beg some of mine before the day was over.
remark this, here, to show how much more our
glad to
I
enlightened as compared with those in Scotland.
again, where the Scotch streams have only one rod
on them in the course of a week, many of ours have a
fish are
Then
dozen
in a
day thrashing them
;
and the
fish get to
know
I have often been
a line as well as the angler himself.
amused to see how soon a feeding trout would leave off
on being presented with an
angler does
on the
it
water.
artificial fly, particularly if
at all unskilfully, or
I
the
shows even his shadow
frequently take off
my
hat and creep
along, in the endeavour to take a fish off his guard
have often been repaid by basketing a
fine trout.
I
;
and
have
Hi.
always followed Izaak Walton's advice in fishing fine and
My remarks in these pages are chiefly confined to
far off.
Trout and Greyling fishing and the angler must not feel
disappointed that I have touched so briefly on flies, and
;
only given a
list
of
my
favourite standard
flies,
which I
have proved from experience no angler should be without.
My old friend, Alfred Ronalds (with whom I have spent
many
pleasant days fishing on Tal-y-llyn lake), has given
a
and correct account of the
full
"The
book
flies for
each month, in
Fly Fisher's
called
Entomology."
have had considerable practice in Pike fishing,
but do not consider it necessary to treat on that subject
That worthy angler, Mr. Cholmondelly Pennell,
at all.
his
I
second edition
in the
work on " The Habits of
of his
Pike and Angling for them, with Suitable Tackle," has
completely and satisfactorily exhausted the subject ; and
I
must say
his buffer
knot
is
a great boon to anglers, and
can be depended on without it.
I feel every confidence in saying no angler could
have studied the gentle craft more than I have done from
no salmon casting
my
line
youth, always testing
their
killing qualities,
public.
It
is
well
my own
before
known
inventions, to prove
introducing
that I
am
them
to the
the inventor of
Floating Flies, the Seat Basket, and the Spring Folding
Landing Net, which is so conveniently carried on the
basket strap
;
also the celebrated
Devil Killers, which
have proved so deadly that they have been prohibited on
I have frequently made a bet that I
many streams.
would go to a stream and take a trout the first spin (of
course I knew where to try for them), and have been con-
IV.
knew the spinning
fident of winning, as I
these
devil killers to
come
but would
;
not use
Soon
did.
to try
it
quickly and keep
brought
who had used
it.
He
it
it
out,
resist,
The
lightning.
well under
it
Leamington,
he sent
successfully,
for three
;
a
recommending
tied a piece of line to the three devil
and threw them
killers
of
like the late Dr. Jephson, of
after I
friend of his,
him
it
like a
flash
qualities of
could not
fish
it
at
angler should spin
water
be such that the
into the river
Leam, securing the
The
bank, and leaving them in all night.
next morning, on attempting to take them up, he found
line to the
two
fast
to the bottom,
and of course
told his angling friend he
devil killers, as
lost
did not think
them.
much
of
He
my
he had put three in the river all night and
fish, losing two of them into the bargain.
had not caught a
I
have
briefly described
how
to use the real
and
artificial
minnow.
The anecdotes
in
my own
one
;
I
have related are
fishing experience.
I
facts
and incidents
have borrowed from no
but have written in the plainest language, so that
the youngest angler may understand it and profit by my
I think my little Manual will receive a
experience.
hearty welcome
in
the
angling world,
and
will
be as
heartily disapproved by the trout, who will take it hard
that seventy years' experience of their tricks should
become public
property.
OGDEN'S IMPROVED FLY VICE
ON FLY DRESSING.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DRESSING SMALL FLOATING DUNS
AND BROWNS, WHICH WILL ENABLE THE ANGLER,
WITH CARE AND PRACTICE, TO WlNG AND DRESS A
FLY AS WELL AS "OCDEN."
IN the
make
proper
first place I consider it almost impossible to
a small floating midge firm and neat, without a
fly
vice to screw to the
work
table.
The one
represented in the engraving is my last improvement.
When I was a lad, and tied flies for my father, such a
thing as a
fly
vice was not thought of
become very general.
tyer, and leaves the hands
It
works the jaws of the vice
is
but they are
;
at
The screw
liberty.
getting the materials ready for use.
the
hands should
be
that
very convenient to hold or
pass the tying silk round, to prevent
that
now
a great assistance to the
is
it
It
clean.
slacking, while
is
First
very essential
select
your
and
Take a small piece of wax (made after my
receipt) about the size of a small bean, and wax your silk
well.
It is very
(This should be fine and strong.
materials,
hackles.
A
such as
gut,
hooks,
dubbing,
wings,
to obtain, but very necessary to the
difficult
and
by a
silk
dresser
fly
have mine made specially for the purpose
manufacturer who is also an angler.
Use silk
angler.
I
as near as possible to the colour of the natural fly
copy.)
the
To commence,
fly vice,
fix
your hook firm
you
in the jaws of
leaving sufficient of the shank out to the
right to form the
waxed
silk
body of the fly. Put three turns of
round the shank of the hook, leaving less
than the eighth of an inch bare hook to wing and head
upon. Take a length of gut, which for fineness should
correspond to the size of the hook ; test it by drawing it
through the hands or a piece of india-rubber, taking care
it is not flat or tawsy ; lay it underneath the
hook, and
down
with
the
waxed
silk
close
and
wrap
even, not one
wrap on another, neither allow the silk to slack.
smoother the foundation, the better the fly will
This
refers
bodied
flies.
more
especially to floss silk
and plain
it
will
not
slip, for
that
Avoid making the body too long.
pardonable.
rather see them a little too short than otherwise.
you wish to copy has
large cock's hackle, either
with two wraps of
silk
silk,
tails,
I
is
un-
would
If the
take three strands of a
duns or reds
;
secure
them
cut off the waste ends, give the
a twist and wrap close back up to the shoulder,
leaving the bare hook to wing and head upon.
is
silk-
After wrapping down, try your gut with a
steady pull to see that
fly
The
look.
a plain silk body, which I prefer.
still
This
(Dubbing or wool
bodies will be described hereafter.) Now for setting on
the wings, which is the most difficult part in making a
midge
fly.
We
will
commence
with starling wing, which
Take a
should be smooth and clean.
right
and
left
Get a centre feather from each wing; strip off
the fag end, and with the right finger and thumb divide
as broad a piece as you wish one side of the wing to be.
wing.
Draw
the tips carefully down,
separating the fibres
;
at
and roots firm with the
them occasionally
till
finger and thumb, easing
wing lay even and smooth,
left
to let the
coaxing the fibres gently together.
accomplish
the
left
wing
this
finger
quite even, without
the same time holding the quill
(Practice alone will
This being done, with
satisfactorily.)
and thumb hold the
firm, while with the right finger
very tight, keeping the wing
flat,
and
quill
roots of the
and thumb press
and with a sharp twitch
separate the wing from the quill, taking care not to slack
your hold or disarrange the
on the work
fibres.
Lay
it
carefully
down
table, the outside part of feather uppermost.
In precisely the same manner take a wing from the other
feather exactly the same size as the one just taken off.
When
done, place
it
carefully
on the inside of
forefinger
hand, the inside of feather uppermost, and the
roots of wing pointing to tip of finger.
Pick up the
of left
other half of wing (which I do by moistening the tip of
my
forefinger of right hand),
and put
it
to the other half
Lay the tips very evenly together, and (inside
of feathers facing) press them together, keeping them
flat, and, without altering their position, place them on
of wing.
the top of the bare hook.
For length, they should reach
to the
bend of the hook, but no
silk in
the right hand, open the
slightly
at
the
tips,
longer.
left
Take the
finger
tying
and thumb
to allow the silk to pass
up and
,
down, then close and press
tight,
same time
the
at
down (or it will break) on
Take two more turns of silk
drawing the silk very carefully
to the roots of the wing.
same manner, keeping
in the
on the
silk or
all
the time a gentle strain
and thumb to see
finger
Pass the
the wings will twist round.
securely round the screw of the vice,
draw your gut
shank end of hook,
so,
off the roots of
it
on one
If
avoiding the
side,
sometimes
will
wing neatly with
Trim
it.
fray
a sharp pair of
then take two turns of
dressing scissors;
silk
release the left
that the wings set properly.
carefully
as
and
fly-
on the
silk
head, holding the wings as before, not allowing the silk
to slack or the wings will draw out.
(I always try the
if they are
Pass the silk behind the
firm.)
wings ready to tie the hackle in, which should be proportioned to size of hook and tapering.
Strip the fluff
wings to see
off the hackle,
and take
it
down-
in the right harid, root
wards, the outside part of hackle to the right
;
tie
it
in
up behind the wings, with two turns of
Cut off the
taking care not to disarrange the wings.
sideways, close
silk,
quill
end of hackle, not too
With the tweezers
it
well
close,
or
lay hold of the point
it
will pull out.
of hackle, keep
on the edge, and put two or three turns behind
the wings, bringing the hackle well forward underneath.
Secure
it
with one wrap and two hitches before taking the
tweezers off
it
;
cut off the silk
well back from the
head
;
and point of hackle
with the scissor points, and cut out any stray
fly is
now
longer,
finished
and
is
;
much
and made
neater,
;
press
open and adjust the wings
this
way
fibres.
will last
The
much
than when finished at the
head.
know from experience
I
it is
not possible to set
the wings well upright, like the natural
on
It
last.
As a
rule I
or wool
may do for a sunk
make all bodies of
body
I twist
it
fly,
they are put
fly, if
but not for a
floater.
For a dubbing
sparingly on the waxed silk, and
fles
first.
wrap up from the tail to the shoulder, tapering the body
and setting the wings on as described before. I strongly
recommend every
have with him a
as I
find,
angler to learn to dress a
well-stocked
book of
but he will
flies,
have frequently found in the course of
"
practice, they are not of the exact colour.
may be
He may
fly.
on the feed," but the angler
well
will
The
my
fish
only get
one occasionally. Be particular as to size and colour,
and don't mind if they are not dressed artistically. They
will
tell
much
flies I
on the basket, and the circumstance
to the
make
day's sport.
the bodies
or three turns of tying
first,
silk.
will
add
In dressing buzz or hackle
and form the head with two
I
then
tie
the hackle in at
a proper distance from the head, and either take two or
three turns with the hackle close together, or carry
way down the body, according
should
so
it
much
to fancy.
But
be finished off at the head, as the
in
it
fly will
better finished off behind the hackle.
half
no case
wear
In making
wool or dubbing bodies, be particular to well test (that is,
to pick it apart with the fingers) and blend the colours
together thoroughly, so that no one colour predominates.
MY FAVOURITE STANDARD
THE RED OR OLD JOAN
THE
FLIES.
FLY.
is the
February Red or
an
Fly,
early mild season, will
be seen by the end of January, and be found in greater
abundance towards the middle of February. It is an
first
smaller
I
;
describe
and, when
excellent killing
book.
shall
I
fly
Old Joan
fly,
it is
and deserves a place
in the
angler's
Hook, No. 2, or even
body, ruddy sheep's wool, mixed with an equal
dress
it
as
follows
:
quantity of the reddest part of squirrel
fur,
with a turn
of light claret-coloured wool only at the tail, to form a
tag ; wings, from the soft quill feather of the pea-hen's
wing, which
natural
fly.
is
the nearest approach to the colour of the
Tie
this
wing
in flat
and
should cover the bend of the hook.
full.
For
The wings
legs,
a hackle
stained a rather dark claret colour, and two turns will be
sufficient.
This
fly is
useful in Devonshire, dressed buzz,
with a good brassy dun or grizzle cock's hackle over the
same body.
THE HARE'S EAR BLUE DUN OR COCK WING.
This
is
an excellent spring
fly,
and one
that I use
all the season, varying the colour of the
wings and hare's ear the wings, by giving them a slight
tint of olive in onion dye ; the hare's ear, by mixing with
occasionally
a little olive fur from a monkey's neck, or olive Berlin
wool mixed with fur from the hare's face. When the
it
season
mild
is
February, and
is
them, allow your
the work
most
fles
killing
I
a good general size
spun on
on cold days.
to sink a
by no means
;
against the stream.
is
be on the water by the end of
this fly will
little,
it
as follows
body,
;
fine yellow silk
;
or
hurrying
dress
fur
When
using
letting the water
do
dragging them
:
Hook No.
2
from the hare's ear
three strands of a red cock's
For a
tails, and a tag of fine gold tinsel.
use fine yellow silk only, well waxed, for the
The
wings taken from a starling wing feather.
hackle for
change
body
;
I
wings should be broad and set on very upright, as it is
little dun the angler will have to
the most butterfly-like
After setting on the wings, spin
imitate.
ear fur
on the
silk,
more
hare's
and give two turns close up behind
the wings, bringing
it
well forward underneath
;
fasten
behind the wings, and pick out the dubbin to form
For a variety, I rib the hare's ear body with
the legs.
off
gold tinsel or twist, and put on upright wings taken
from a woodcock wing feather.
fine
THE BLUE DUN.
This
is
Hook, No.
also an early
2,
or smaller
;
and standard
a cold day.
for the body, a small portion
fly for
of water-rat's fur spun on primrose silk
;
from a
wings,
dark starling wing feather, set on very upright for legs,
a dark dun hen's hackle set in close up behind the wings,
;
and brought
This
well forward underneath.
in a variety of shades too
numerous
dressed
fly is
to mention, but
all
of them are useful at times.
THE MARCH BROWN.
This
fly is
Dun, and is
It appears on most
by the trout.
more numerous on the river Usk, Mon-
similar in shape to the Blue
eagerly devoured
but
streams,
is
mouthshire, than any other stream I have fished.
seen them
water
is
come on
low,
the
of the
rise
in
the middle of the stream,
is
useless
the rise
is
trying
on.
the
The
fish,
is
March
numerous
in
rapid
Imitation for the body
with a
little
well waxed,
:
fur
fly,
the
generally
but
;
Brown
between the
then generally use my own fancy
have been successful with them.
more
is
worth seeing
is
artificial
best time
which
have
I
when
there by thousands, and
flights.
I
or Hoffland's, and
The March Brown
rivers
it
while
than slow
from the hare's
is
currents.
ear,
mixed
yellowish olive mohair spun on yellow
silk,
and ribbed over with
gold
fine
gold
tinsel,
three strands of partridge
twist, or
yellow silk
feather
wings taken from the reddish-brown feather of
;
;
tail,
the hen pheasant wing, set on very upright and
full
tail
;
for
legs, a feather from the middle of the back of a brown
up behind the wings. I have had
on the river Usk with one dressed as
partridge set in close
excellent
sport
follows
body, fur from the hare's
:
ear
mixed with a
of the red fur from the hare's neck, and ribbed over
little
with olive
silk,
not waxed
;
wings taken from the dark
freckled feather of a partridge
from the wren's
tail
;
and
for legs, a feather
wound on as a hackle close up
As the season advances make the
tail
behind the wings.
body of pale olive mohair, ribbed over with fine gold
twist, and a honey dun hackle for legs ; wings from the
marbled part of the hen pheasant wing
feather.
This
It requires a
fly is a good killer all over the continent.
warmer day to enable it to come to the surface than does
the Blue Dun.
If early at the river, try first the February
Red, then the Blue
Dun
on, use the imitation
Dun
till
;
and when the March Brown
two
is
o'clock, then try the Blue
again.
THE IRON BLUE DUN.
This
is
one of the smallest of the dun
species,
and,
can say with confidence, one of the best killers.
What
a number of pleasant recollections this little fly brings
before me, of the sport it has afforded me, and the
I
made with this little
They shew themselves more abundant on cold
and the fish feed on them more freely. It is a
baskets of trout and greyling I have
dun.
days,
great favourite of mine,
from a
it
and
I
have interested myself
in a variety of
lad, dressing
with most of my imitations.
I shall
ways and
in
it
killing fish
only describe what I
have proved to be the two best methods of copying thislittle dainty fly
No. i, dressed as follows hook No. o.
:
use reddish purple
the colour of the
silk,
silk.
waxed with white wax,
The
gut should be very
to keep
fine,
and
avoid making the body too long. Tail, three strands from
10
a yellow dun cock's hackle.
possible of mole's fur, lay
and
twist,
back over the mole's
rib
about three or four
of
shew the
ribs, to
Nothing makes so
silk.
Take the
smallest pinch
on the body, give the
it
fur
natural a
between the
of the feathers,
tips
not
too
body
long.
very erect, and turn the quill ends back and
Take the
to prevent their drawing out.
dun
hackle, tie
will
be
it
rail
just
in
tie
them
in
smallest yellow
up behind the wings two turns
legs, and the wings will require
The body
;
of No.
not the tips
feather
:
them
2
is
made
the same as
described before, but the wings are taken from a
tail
ribs
Set
in close
sufficient for
trimming.
a
For
as this.
wings, two feathers from the breast of the water
the
silk
not too close,
fur,
by stripping
it
torn-tit's
off the
broad
same way as the starling wing feather. When
dressed this way and used as a sunk fly, it is very useful,
side in the
more
especially in streams.
some
rivers
about the
latter
This
end of
THR RED
This
is
a
the season.
I
fly
very abundant on
April.
SPINNER.
that kills well
have proved
fly is
it
from April till the end of
excellent on bright days
when the fish would not look at any other artificial fly.
I make the body of ruddy-brown floss silk, wrapped on
very smooth and tapering, and ribbed over with fine gold
twist
;
tail,
three strands of a red cock's hackle,
set
on
wings taken from a dark starling wing
on
broad and upright ; for legs, a good dark
feather, put
red cock's hackle, set in last, close up behind the wings.
rather long;
The
size
of hook
may
vary from No.
i
to No.
3.
II
OGDEN'S FANCY.
Since
brought this
I
the properties
attractive
of
floating
when thrown over a
to drag, which
My mode
is
has become a great
who use
favourite with those anglers
all
it
fly out,
a dry
It
well.
fly, it
having
also
is
very
rising fish, not allowing
the grand secret of using floating
of dressing
it
as follows
is
:
it
flies.
body of bright
yellow silk waxed with white wax, wrapping down evenly
from the shoulder to the tail. Avoid making the body
too long.
Make
fine gold tinsel
a short tag with two or three wraps of
round the bare hook, then
strands of a red cock's hackle for
tag of gold, as
it is
a great attraction to the
the tying silk after securing
of the yellow
silk,
set
it
neatly
in at
wings, which should be broad
starling
legs,
wing
a bright red cock's
the centre, so
fly.
Set
feather.
tapering to a point.
much
tails,
;
three
tie in
not covering the
wax
fly.
Cut
off
a fresh length
the head, and
in the
tie
and taken from a
them on very
bright
For
upright.
hackle with a black root, and
If the hackle has a strip of black
the better, and the
more
up
killing the
Tie the hackle in close up behind the wings, and
wrap the clean waxed
Take the
at the
hackle
silk
down
the body to the
tail.
tip of the hackle in the tweezers, put two turns
shoulder close up behind the wings, and rib the
down
the body as close together as
it
will allow for
to reach the tag.
Before taking the tweezers off tie in
the tip of the hackle neatly with one wrap and two knots.
it
Be
particular not to cover the tag.
fibres that will
The
size
not lay even.
of hook
may
Use
it
Cut out any stray
only as an end fly.
vary from No. o to Nos.
5
or 6,
12
A blood
according to the size of the waters fished.
red or mahogany coloured hackle makes an excellent
variety.
THE COW-DUNG
known, and
female
to be seen
is
on most
smaller and has a
is
FLY.
only briefly describe this
I shall
more
fly,
as
it is
When
seen in great numbers at once.
water
the best time to use the
is
as follows
dingy brown wool,
silk,
well tested together
making the body short and
they are
artificial
for the body, yellow wool,
:
The
olive tint than the male.
frequents the water on cold windy days, but
It
so well
plats in the fields.
full.
fly,
never
is
on the
dressed
mixed with a
little
and spun on brown
Wings should be
For
taken from a landrail's wing feather, and set on flat.
legs, a ginger coloured hackle slightly stained in copperas.
To make
this
fly
buzz, put
a cock's hackle, stained as
above, on the same body.
THE YELLOW DUN.
This
comes on
fly
favourites, as
basket have
it
as follows
and
in April,
my
we made with
;
and
late father,
it.
body of yellow
:
maker's wax
feather,
was of
it
My
silk
is
one of
my
first
and many a heavy
father always dressed
well
waxed with shoe-
wings taken from a young starling wing
set
on
upright.
a favourite yellow dun
I well
remember him having
game cock, which he valued very
much, and used the hackles only to dress this fly with
own use. It was a great favour for a gentleman to
his
a
fly
dressed with one of these hackles.
offered
him threepence each
A
for the hackles.
friend
He
for
get
once
replied
:
J
3
" I will
give you two or three, but will not
they are worth a shilling each,
my
making
basket with this
and
fly."
sell
them
as
can always depend on
The hackle of that bird
I
was the best shape I ever saw. I have been trying all my
life to breed one similar to it, and have produced some
This makes my theory
very near to it, but not perfect.
the great secret, combined with size.
happens that an angler kills a few brace
that colour
good
it
Occasionally
is
of fish with a fancy
dressed with a hackle taken from
fly
any barn door fowl, but that I call chance, and is not to
The Yellow Dun is generally seen on
be depended on.
the water from ten
till
till
four,
the end of June.
I
and
make
silk,
waxed with white wax
dun
hackle, rather long;
wing feather
yellow
dun
set
well
kills
on warm days
the body of fine yellow
two strands of honey
a young starling
from
wings
on very upright ; legs, two turns of a good
;
tail,
varying the sizes according to the
hackle,
on streams, dressed buzz, with the
same hackle put on sparingly, and a small portion of
The dottrell hackle
yellow wool spun on the waxed silk.
It kills well
water.
on
this
body
is
very deadly both for trout and greyling.
THE ALDER FLY
Is
another favourite of mine, and which
an excellent
dressed to
killer
float well, is
the green drake
dress
it
peacock
from
is
May
till
made
coloured mohair
;
have proved
and,
;
very valuable to the angler
on the
water.
Formerly
with reddish brown tying silk
herl,
I
the end of June
full,
;
I
if
when
used to
body of bronze
with a small tag of dark claret-
a dark brassy
dun or a black
cock's
14
hackle, or, what
is
better than
all,
a good furnace hackle
wings from the hen pheasant centre
full
and rather long
hook, No.
;
tail
4,
;
feather, dressed
or smaller.
I
have
made an improvement in this fly, and will try to describe
it.
Use mulberry-coloured silk, waxed with white wax.
After wrapping the gut down firm carry the silk back to
Set in one broad strand of bronze-coloured
the head.
peacock herl, leaving sufficient bare hook to wing and
head upon. I only use one strand of herl, for if it is
kept on the edge and wrapped close and even, not one
wrap on another, it makes a much better body than when
two or three herls are wrapped down together.
I
work
silk
with
it
down
the herl, as
generally
my tying
strengthens
it,
like the
and may prevent the herl unravelling
bend of the hook,
I finish off at the
being used.
body of
this fly to
firmly with two wraps
be rather long.
after
as
I
Finish off
and two knots, and cut the
silk off.
Set another length of silk in at the head, leaving plenty
of bare hook to wing upon.
in close
and
up
Tie the
to the peacock herl
fasten off with
hackle, pass the silk
fibres of the
hackle
the wings to lay
two knots
up
end of hackle
two or three turns
cut off the
to the head,
end of the
and snip some of the
the top of the hook, to allow
then take a centre feather from
off, at
flat.
the hen pheasant's
give
;
quill
it
I
tail,
fluff (and no more, as
the best to wing with),
take off the
that soft part nearest the root
is
divide a broad piece, get the ends even without disarranging
the fibres, and, holding
take
it
it
and thumb,
Lay it down and
lay it on the top
tight in the finger
off the quill with a sharp twitch.
take off another piece in a similar
way
;
of the other piece, glossy side uppermost.
Take them
both up together and place them flat on the top of the
hook, allowing the wing to cover the bend of the hook.
Press the
left
thumb and
wraps with the tying
finger
on the wings, and put two
off the fag end of wings,
Trim
silk.
and put two or three more turns of silk to form the head.
On no account disarrange the wings, or let any of the
fibres
round.
slip
way.
all
my
flat
wing
flies
in this
THE GOLDEN DUN MIDGE.
I
kills
I dress
have proved this to be a very useful little fly, which
on the rivers Wandle, Test, Itchin, and is
well
become a
favourite
on the Usk and Monnow.
I
have
successfully on the Teine and the Derbyshire
It makes its
streams, more especially on warm days.
appearance in April, and continues in season till June.
also
used
I imitate
it
the
body of
this small
insect with a very fine
silk, wrapped on very smoothly,
and ribbed over with narrow gold tinsel ; wings from a
young starling wing feather, set on very upright ; for legs,
strand of light olive floss
a rather light
dun
hackle.
waxed with white wax.
Use very
Hook, No.
i,
fine
primrose
silk,
not larger.
THE BLACK GNAT.
This
and
it
midge is a great favourite with both trout
and they will gorge themselves with it when
little
greyling,
comes on the
and
water.
sultry evenings.
It
The
is
very useful on
warm days
best imitation for the
body
a strand of black horsehair wrapped close and even
the body
;
is
down
upright wings from a light starling wing feather
;
i6
from the
starling
It kills well
dressed
for legs, a small black glossy feather
breast, or a small black hen's hackle.
buzz, with
two turns of a glossy
starling breast feather
on
makes
it
same body; and a tag of
the
silver
tinsel
attractive.
THE COCH-Y-BONDDU,
Or, as some call
it,
the
Marlow Buzz,
one of
is
my
and no angler should be without it. I
have always had the best sport with the smallest size,
standard
flies,
particularly in Derbyshire,
numbers of times with
where
this
I
have
little
buzz
basket
my
filled
It
is
very
fly.
important to have a good furnace hackle for this fly, and
I will here describe what I call a good furnace hackle.
It
much
should be a dark blood red, both sides as
as possible, with a black centre and black edges
;
alike
the dark
red shewing between the centre and the edge, and should
When I was a lad I could find
taper down to a point.
this
coloured bird at any barn door ; but now you may
hundred miles and not see one the right colour,
travel a
which
I
think must be
owing to the decrease
in the
The dressing for the body
breeding of game fowls.
should be peacock herl tinted with magenta dye, which
gives
it
for tying
the gut,
a rich bronze colour.
it,
Use orange-coloured
waxed with white wax, and,
make
after
silk
wrapping on
a tag with fine gold tinsel, bring the silk
back to the head and
tie
in the furnace hackle
one or two wraps of orange
turns of the hackle, tie
it
the head
silk at
in securely, with
peacock herl close up to the hackle
;
;
;
show
take three
one strand of
wrap the
herl evenly
17
down
to the tag,
and
finish
it
well back to
make
the
THE OAK
This
till
is
fly
off with
The
making the body too long.
Avoid
look neat.
FLY, OR
DOWNLOOKER.
another favourite, and
the end of June.
two knots.
hackle requires pressing
It is
kills
well from
May
most useful on windy days.
I
make the body of bright orange floss silk, nicely tapering
The tying silk should be lead coloured, and shewn at
it.
the head and shoulders.
Legs, a good furnace hackle,
and ribbed down the body.
Snip off the fibres from the
lower part of the hackle nearly close to the body, leaving
a sufficient quantity for the legs.
Wings from a feather
These wings are
of the woodcock wing, dressed flat.
best tied in last with lead-coloured silk, and the upper
part of the hackle should be snipped off to allow the
wings to lay
flat.
formerly, in
its
Hook, No.
natural state,
2 or 3.
This
fly
was used
for the cruel practice
dibbing, but I am pleased to say that mode of fishing
almost extinct.
THE FURNACE FLY.
This was an old favourite of
one on
fished without
bright orange tying silk
feather,
set
on upright
furnace hackle
;
his
cast.
my
father's
The body
is
of
is
he rarely
made of
wings taken from a starling wing
for legs, two turns of a good
;
;
hook, No.
2.
TINKLER'S DUN.
This fly was a great favourite of the late Captain
Tinkler (who was an excellent angler) and invented by
1
i8
It is a good general fly, especially for
evening, and
dressed as follows pale primrose coloured silk waxed
with white wax; tail three strands from a red cock's
him.
is
:
body made with a strand of white purse silk
twisted and wraped close together wings, upright,
hackle
well
;
;
from a
I
wing feather
starling
have had good sport with
evenings
till
for legs, a ginger hackle.
;
this
THE WREN'S
This
dun
in the
summer
after dark.
TAIL.
be found very useful in July.
There are
two or three shades of this little insect, but I have found
will
the trout and greyling take
best dressed as follows
it
:
body of light red fur from the hare's neck spun on
brown silk with fine gold twist ribbed over it ; a feather
from the wren's
legs
;
hook No.
tail
i
or
wound on answers
THE LITTLE ORANGE
This
my
FLY.
and greyling have
I
made
body made with
the-legs^are put on flat
imitation dressed as follows
:
deep coloured orange floss silk;
and should be taken from the water
blackbird wing
No.
wings and
a great favourite of mine, and numbers
fiy is
of heavy baskets of trout
with
for
o.
legs,
;
a dark
rail
wing, or hen
furnace hackle
;
hook,
i.
THE STONE MIDGE.
This
greyling.
is
I
an excellent
little
fly
have killed more of the
than any other
I
ever used.
I
both for trout and
latter
with this
have found
it
kill
fly
well
19
on the Teeme, Lugg, and Arrow, and is a great favourite
The body is best imitated
of mine on most streams.
with a strand from the broad feather of a heron's wing,
wrapped close on the body, which should be made short.
Two or three turns of a glossy feather from the starling's
and
breast answers for wings
Hook, No.
legs.
o,
or even
smaller.
THE WHIRLING BLUE DUN.
This
fly is
a standard killer and a great favourite on
the river Colne, at Fairford.
very useful on
It is
the
all
Derbyshire streams, especially on a cold October day.
I dress it as follows
body, reddish brown fur from the
:
squirel's legs
tails,
spun on yellow
waxed with white wax
silk
three strands of red cock's hackle
from a dark
wing feather
starling
hackle; hook, No.
;
;
wings, upright,
;
a pale ginger
legs,
2.
PALMERS.
These
are
numerous
tribe,
greyling.
When
seen the fish
bushes
of
favourites
all
excellent basket have I
made
and choice food both
go to a stream where
on the feed, nor could find any
or grass,
I
always
commence
my
three favourites,
Palmer hook No.
6,
are a
They
I
have not
flies
on the
with a cast
is
of
I will give the dressing
and commence with the end
which
and
trout
for
I
Palmers, especially after a flood.
of
and many an
mine,
with them.
one.
rather long in the shank;
body made rather spare with narrow bronze peacock
herl,
ribbed over with gold thread.
A
bright red cock's
hackle or a good furnace hackle wrapped
down by
the
20
All hackles for Palmers should taper
side of the thread.
and be wrapped down the body slantwise, and
shew the herl between the hackle. The Middle Hopper
to a point
:
hook, No. 4 ; the body made of bright orange floss silk
with a strand of magenta coloured peacock herl wrapped
down
the body at intervals, and a honey
may be
This
dun
varied with a brassy
or
dun
hackle,
grizzle
dun,
The third fly a Black Palmer
of black ostrich herl, ribbed
made
body
with or without gold.
hook, No. 4
;
:
over with rather narrow silver
dence
more
in these Palmers,
and a black cock's
tinsel,
hackle wrapped by side of tinsel.
I
have great confi-
particularly after a fresh,
by fishing down stream, edging the side well and allowing
the
water to do the
Commence
work.
with these
Palmers as soon as the water begins sinking, and
warrant you will
bright
and sunny
make a
try the
basket.
If
by mid-day
duns and browns.
THE BLUE BOTTLE AND HOUSE
These
flies
are sure killers for trout
September and October.
these
flies
full
first
:
I
gets
FLY.
and greyling
have the name
closer to nature than
describe the Blue Bottle
made
I
it
in
for dressing
any other maker.
hook, No. 3 or 4
I will
;
body
of narrow black ostrich herl, and ribbed over
with blue tinsel
be snipped
;
for legs, a black hackle,
which should
off at the top to allow the wings to lie
flat,
composed of two broad strips of starling wing
and require great care in putting them on un-
these are
feather,
broken and even.
tied with
The head and
brown sewing
silk,
shoulders should be
waxed with white wax
to
21
This
keep the colour.
The
The
little
House Fly
fly
kills
on windy days.
well
I dress as follows
best imitation for the
body
from a brown freckled turkey
;
hook, No.
2.
two or three strands
is
tail feather,
wrapped close
down
the body, a short piece of light stone coloured
Berlin wool tied in at the shoulder underneath, doubled
back and tied
in at the
strip of light color that
end of the hook, which gives that
seen in the natural
is
fly.
The
may be either from a black hen's neck or a glossy
feather from the starling breast ; the wings are two broad
hackle
pieces taken from the dark starling wing feather,
on
flat
like the
and
set
Blue Bottle.
THE SMALL WILLOW OR NEEDLE BROWN.
extremely abundant on some
streams all the season, but more especially during the
months of September and October, and is taken very
This
freely
little
fly
by trout and
is
greyling.
I
had always found a
till the autumn
difficulty in imitating this fly satisfactorily
of 1878,
when
I
went to Pembridge
the Arrow for greyling.
flies,
I
had with
in
October to
we- a
fish
book of choice
but the weather being so unfavourable, I had no
opportunity of using them, for it commenced raining
I only had two hours fishing the next
the day I went.
morning when, with perseverance
greyling with a small palmer and
I
my
took a brace of
blue bottle.
I
found the Needle Brown on the water in great numbers,
Had I possessed
but unfortunately had none with me.
a good imitation of this little creature, I believe I should
have killed a few brace of greyling, as they were taking
22
them
freely until the water rose too high.
week
in vain, but the river
was flooded
all
I
waited a
the time.
I
brought several of these beautiful little insects male
and female home with me, and bestowed much time
and labour in copying it correctly in size, shape, and
colour.
killers.
how
is
I
did not until
it
advanced.
season,
had got
If the water
them, but
as
to give
them a
I
hope
I
have not the
body
least
season
fair
trial
was
this
doubt they
too far
coming
will
prove
endeavour as plainly as possible to explain
dress this little fly.
Palmer hook, No. i, which
I will
rather long in the shank,
gut,
in order I intended trying
the
is
and
best imitated as follows
which should be
fine,
fine in the wire.
:
The
wrapping on the
after
with dark
silk,
choose
a
narrow strand of peacock herl that has about a quarter
of an inch of light color at the root, strip the fluff off
and dye the
light part a slight tint of
tag, set this in neatly at the
orange to form the
end of the hook and wrap
even up to the shoulder. This is the best imitation for
body of the male fly. The head should be made next by
wrapping black silk, well waxed, round the extreme end
of hook, forming it round like the head of a pin and
leaving a slight vacancy between the head and shoulders.
The wings should be
a slip of starling wing feather for
under-wing, with a slip of hen blackbird wing for the
glossy sides uppermost.
upper wing,
lie
very
flat
The under wing should be
one,
The wings must
and hollow on the back, not
at all
broken.
a shade longer than the upper
and both should cover the end of the hook.
requires skill
and practice to
set these
It
wings on properly.
23
The left thumb should be pressed on them until they are
secured with the tying silk, which can be passed under
The best
the tip of the thumb without removing it.
imitation for legs
is
a few grizzle hairs about half an inch
long, cut from the side of the neck of a badger skin,
place these crosswise
tied in,
passing
and
it
well secure
between the
others back
;
securing the
and
them with the black
tying
silk,
some forward and
hairs, bringing
the wraps of silk forming a shoulder and
legs.
shoulders,
appearance.
underneath where the wings are
as
Leave a vacancy between the head
it
gives
the
a
fly
very
natural
Finish off with two knots in front of wings
and snip off the legs to a proper length. I prefer the
badger hair to a hackle for this fly. The Female Needle
Brown is a little larger than the male. The body should
be made of yellow silk, with the striped peacock herl
ribbed over, shewing the rings of yellow silk between
The under wing of the female is a
the ribs of herL
slip
of starling wing feather.
The upper wing
a slip from
not the yellow part, but that just above
head and legs are the same as the male fly. If
the thrush wing
The
it.
I
have not made these instructions
my
sufficiently clear to
readers, especially as regards the winging, I shall feel
on that subject
great pleasure in assisting them, not only
but any other connected with the gentle
will
accompany
their questions with a
Before concluding
my
remarks on
craft,
flies
and
adhered
to,
always ensure
him
fr
they
fly tying,
would recommend the angler in selecting or tying
to be most particular on two points, which
strictly
if
stamped envelope.
sport
Viz.
I
his flies
will,
if
on the most
Size ct*4 colour,
24
In tying flies it is necessary to have a
all shades of dun hackles, both cock
delicate waters.
selection of
good
and hen.
The
taken from
dotterell
the upper
feather
part
invaluable hackle to the angler
from
a
right in
game
cock,
is,
already
wing.
mentioned.
I
flies
am
A
the furnace,
described,
colour will always ensure sport.
cannot dress his
and
as
most useful
is
of the
is
it
most
taken
and
if
If the angler
neatly they will kill with the hackles
always pleased to see a neatly tied
fly
as closely resembling the natural insect as possible.
SALMON
FLIES.
SHALL only make a few remarks on salmon
many authors have fully described them ; and
I
flies,
as so
for a
long
with instructions for dressing them,
"
"
see Blacker's work ;
Ephemera on the Salmon ; and
u
Francis Francis book oh
Angling." I tie my salmon
list
of salmon
flies,
7
flies
of as
many
colours
as the
rainbow to
suit
different waters, as well as the varied taste of the
and salmon fishermen
my
;
and would
invite
the
salmon
an inspection of
flies, which I
special patterns of salmon and sea trout
have proved, by actual
trial
on the principal
rivers
lakes of the united kingdom, to be certain killers.
and
As a
For sewin
rule, gaudy colours ensure the most success.
and the white trout of Ireland, I have proved the following
The " Prince of Wales " fly and
flies the most reliable.
the " Polly Perkins," properly tied, are pretty sure killers
of fresh run fish
the sea,
flies
successful.
;
but on waters
some miles distance from
of a more
sober colour prove the most
I will give the dressing of two or three.
Hooks should be
in proportion to the
the size of the fish
;
waters fished and
the body of good claret or puse-
26
coloured
floss silk,
ribbed over with gold tinsel
pheasant crest feather for tail
;
mallard feather, well freckled.
pheasant
silk
floss
tippet feather.
;
a golden
and a wing of good brown
This
Another,
laid over a golden
an orange and black
is
is
body ; or the same colours
in mohair, with a
good furnace hackle ribbed down the body, and the same
wings as before, is a certain killer of salmon or sewin on
most of the rivers. The same colours, but varying the
body with deep-coloured orange
floss
silk,
ribbed over
with gold tinsel or twist, will often prove a very attractive
A very useful fly for sewin
fly for sea trout and salmon.
a large blue dun, with a body of water-rat fur ribbed
over with silver tinsel ; tail, a golden pheasant topping ;
is
wings from a blue jay wing feather, set on upright
dun
cock's hackle,
wrapped on
at the
;
a blue
shoulder, for legs.
Another good general fly is a body made of black pig's
wool ribbed with silver tinsel ; tail, three strands of a
dark grizzle blue dun cock's hackle
;
a galinea feather tied
and wrapped half way down the body ;
wing of dark brown turkey tail feather. This fly will kill
well in the evening till dark.
I would also mention the
in at the shoulder,
"
"
Jock Scott is a favourite with the salmon, and many
others too numerous to mention.
But with the few flies
I
have enumerated, made in various sizes, the angler
will be certain of success, if the
salmon or sewin
are at
all
on the
to fish with the
but
and
it is little
when the water
is
or no use attempting
rising or discoloured,
my Devil Killers, gold and silver, will then prove deadly,
especially so
sea.
rise,
fly
for
fish
when
coming up fresh from the
which give such noble sport,
the fish are
These migratory
fish,
27
are often the most capricious in their choice of food.
Sometimes
low water they
in
preference to the gay
They
will also
flies
take the real
take trout
will
flies
in
tied for their special benefit.
minnow as well
and sometimes worms, shrimps,
as the artificial,
lobster,
or even crab's
claws.
ON SALMON
I
CASTS.
can with confidence recommend
lines, tied
with the buffer knot
casting line can be
;
and
I
my salmon casting
am confident no
depended on without
prevents the gut fraying between the knots.
describe
best
lay
how
round salmon
gut, well test
other,
I will try to
Take two
these casts are tied.
one end over the
as the silk
it,
it
to see that
strands of
it
is
good,
form a loop with the short
end and pass the end through the loop, drawing it tight.
Reverse it and do the other the same. Then well wax a
length of strong light
silk
Give
silk.
between the knots
;
six
cut off the
or seven wraps of
silk,
and with a
pair
of pliars draw the knots close together.
If it breaks, try
it
again ; if it does so a second time, discard it and take
a
new
I
consider ten lengths of gut ample for a salmon cast.
My
length.
fine trout
I prefer
gut that will stand without soaking.
and greyling
casts
are
much approved
of,
the gut being selected with great care to taper regularly.
In
fact,
every part of the tackle should taper regular,
from the butt to the end
fly.
THE MAY
I
FLY.
WILL now make a few remarks on the
Drake, and
was a
lad,
its
decrease on
many
May Fly or Green
When I
trout streams.
and carried the landing net
my
for
father in
Bakewell meadows, Derbyshire, the drakes have risen
from the bed of the river in thousands, the air being quite
thick with them.
I have myself taken more than a
hundred from
for use.
My
drake.
He
my
them
hat and put
into a drake basket
father never used the natural or artificial
used
say he
to
could
make a
basket with the yellow
dun and
gnat for evening.
generally turned out he
It
best basket at the finish.
greyling fishing
staying
at that
Bridge, where I
on the
alder
fly,
In October, 1864,
Wye and
floating
I
had the
went down
Derwent, Derbyshire,
" The
Peacock, Rowsley
met with the Duke of Rutland's steward,
delightful inn,
who, in the course of conversation, asked
my
better
and the black
May
flies
would
kill
on
me
if I
their waters.
thought
If so,
he should prohibit the use of the live fly, as anglers came
from all parts, and at that season used the live fly with
great dexterity, killing
all his
best trout.
I told
him
I
29
had no doubt but they would
kill
the
Stour,
Gentlemen
The
who
anglers,
could dress an
me
my
.and try
floating
come
to
flies,
to
Hampshire,
waters.
fine
the Wye, said no one
fished
drake to
artificial
steward wished
Itchin,
and many other
Canterbury,
had used
there, as I
them with great success on the Test and
on those streams.
kill
in the next drake season
which
I
consented
and on
;
the 5th of June, 1865, I went down, with great confidence,
having a first-class assortment of artificial floating drakes.
I found several anglers waiting at the Peacock Inn for
the
to
fly
come
up.
I
went up to Bakewell, as I knew
fly would rise there two or three
from past experience the
days before
it
did in Rowsley Meadows.
At the Rutland
I met a number of anglers waiting for
Arms, Bakewell,
An elderly gentleman, named Hobson,
was son to old Frank Ogden, who was well
known to be the best fisherman that ever threw a line on
the
fly
asked
the
to appear.
me
Wye ?
if I
I replied in
the affirmative.
He
said
"
:
Then
was your father who gave me my first lesson in the
gentle craft and for a number of years I had the pleasure
it
;
of meeting him on the
great sport together."
Wye and Derwent,
He then asked me
to use the natural drake.
come
at the request
floating
drakes or
took out
my
where we had
if I
intended
informed him that
I
was
of the duke's steward to test
my
May
I
flies.
box and they
all
He
wished to see them.
I
a hearty laugh
indulged in
them, Mr. Hobson saying if he had not known me to
be an angler born, he should call me a fool to bring those
at
butterfly things to kill fish
him
I
on
their fine
had every confidence that
I
waters.
should
kill
I
told
fish
with
30
my
when they were
artificial flies,
feeding on the natural
drake, and promised to let him know when I commenced.
The first fly I saw rise was on the dam, just below
Bakewell Bridge. It was instantly taken by a trout. I
at once informed Mr. Hobson that I was going to
commence fishing on the dam, to which he replied that he
would watch from the bridge, where he was accompanied
by many other anglers. While putting my rod together,
to
my
great delight I
saw several drakes taken by the
my cast, and testing it, I put on
trout.
After well soaking
one of
my
dressed as follows
waxed
well
drakes, which looked very tempting
artificial
feather; hackle,
:
a straw body, ribbed with red silk
of hen pheasant tail
a pale buff with brown centre, rather
three strands
tail,
;
wood
short in fibre; wings, upright, taken from the
summer
my
fly
duck.
I
made
a cast to the fish I
had scarcely touched the
when
water,
saw
first
it
or
rise
;
was taken.
Mr. Hobson shouted from the bridge " That was a live
I told him to come and see for himself.
fly you used !"
"
I am convinced
If it is not
will
He
:
replied
good
fish in
you
so,
:
kill fish, for it
alighted like the natural
a very short time.
One
fly."
I killed nine
trout I noticed in
the middle of the dam, was taking every
fly
that
came
in
could not reach him without wading, which
was prohibited ; but the steward gave me permission to
his way.
wade
I
in order to thoroughly test
my
flies.
I
went into
the dam, venturing as far as I dared, and found I could
just reach the fish
by making a long
cast.
He
instantly
mounted my rod to keep him
from the bed of weeds, and led him down stream but
came and took my
fly.
I
;
on trying to move
found
I
I
was stuck in the mud.
With
my
my balance and fell backwards,
I quickly regained
of course losing hold of my rod.
and on reeling up I found my fish still on, but fast in the
right leg, and, in trying to
great difficulty I extricated
release the other, I
lost
it,
bed of weeds.
on with
as
I
much
went a few paces down stream, holding
my tackle would
strain as I considered
I saw the weeds give way, and out he
times
rushed, several
trying to get back again, but I
managed to lead him down the stream, the head keeper
At
bear.
last
landing him
for
me.
weighing over two
was
It
pounds.
in
splendid condition,
may
I
here mention a
countryman, who was looking on from the bridge, shouted
" If he hadn't
Of
course, after
the inn to
:
he'd a killed every fish in the watter."
fell in,
my
was glad to return to
and further fishing that day was
immersion,
change;
I
The day following I returned to
Bakewell to meet the keeper. We met several anglers
on the bridge, who insulted me as being the cause of
out of the question.
I found it would not
stopping the .use of the natural fly.
do to fish there again, so went to the steward for advice.
He said " Never mind, Ogden ; you have carried out
:
my
wishes,
natural
and from
fly fishing.
this
If
morning
they cannot
they shall not with the live
ticket
for the
where
I
I
He
fly."
have prohibited
kill
at
with the
artificial,
once gave
river Lathkill, the duke's private
spent a pleasant week.
as clear as possible, I
all
me
a
water,
Although the water was
had excellent sport with
my
floating
my
floating
drakes.
Some
forty years ago,
when
I
introduced
32
the love of angling was increasing at the rate of ten
flies,
to
one from when
was a
I
I always
lad.
found the more
a stream was whipped over, the more wary and shy the
fish
became ; and
a good
I always
made
it
a rule never to leave
while he was feeding.
rising fish
have tried
I
every dodge, and often every fly in my book. By changing
my end fly (not intending to do so) I have occasionally
made
a cast with a dry fly.
In those days it was said
this would scare a rising trout and cause him to leave off
On
feeding.
still
on the
the other hand, I found while
surface, without a ripple,
fish to seize
it,
fly
was
These observations were
him, in vain, scores of times.
the cause of
my
has tempted the
after I have been throwing a sunk fly over
my
it
flies.
introducing floating
I
found
it
advisable to use one
fly only with a shorter casting line.
I always carried two or three of these casts with me, but
still followed the old plan of using three sunk flies.
I
used to throw up stream in shallow water ; after a fresh,
stream, as I found I could edge my side much
better down than up stream, and only used the dry fly as
down
mentioned above
I
have found
have
fish
my
flies
first,
close
on meeting with a shy fish,
useful, and many dozens of wary
or,
;
most
taken in this way.
I
I
commence dressing
Make the body
with upright wings, as follows
:
next set the wings on upright, and then the hackle
up behind the wings,
the hackle
last.
it
This
;
but for a sunk
is
in the stream
prove deadly.
finishing off close
fly
up behind
the wings should be set on
not so neat, but they lay closer to the body
;
and
not too
of hackle or wing may
Never hurry your flies, but rather let the
if
full
33
water do the work, mounting your rod top as your flies
After a few years I found the fish on most
approach.
streams getting more cunning, and found
my
floating flies
were the only ones to be depended on for making a
It certainly is the most scientific, and affords
basket.
than any other method of fishing.
would here give young anglers a few hints (which
hope will prove useful) on using the dry fly. Never
more
sport,
I
I
May
carry your floating
tin
box
flies in
a fly-book, but use a
flat
have found a sandwich box 'answer the purpose
(I
very well), not crowding it too full, but always keeping
a stock box at the inn ; and you will find it to your own
advantage to rise early in the morning and dress a few
flies of the right size and colour, not too large, but
The best wing to
according to the size of the water.
use is the Egyptian goose, wood or summer duck, and the
brown mallard feathers. These are my favourite wings.
I
do not care
occasionally.
the drake
killed
is
for dyed feathers, though I use them
Avoid being short of the alder fly when
on, as I have found
numbers of
refused every drake I offered
the yellow
is
ripple.
c
at
a drake.
flies
on too
In making your
when your
;
gnat.
Two
quite sufficient for a
dressing your
them.
when they have
it
also
keep a supply of
I have frequently
when they
of
yards
gut, nicely
basket with these small
would not look
tapered,
them
dun and the black
made a good
very useful, and have
it
fine trout with
cast,
fly alights it will ride
When
it
does not
May
fine a gut, or
float
do
flies
fly cast.
you
will
Avoid
soon lose
in such a
way that
on the surface without a
it
even pick
it
up and throw
34
rather
up stream, always keeping below your
fish.
(This
When
your fly alights, by no
means mount your rod top, but rather lower it, extending
your arm to avoid a drag. Never hurry in casting over
applies to
all
fly fishing.)
your fish, but wait on him, sitting on your basket (which
should be made for the purpose, and which I shall describe
After giving your fish a rest, cast very neatly
If he is a good
over him, avoiding a drag on the fly.
will
him
and
I
warrant
take him off
stick
to
trout,
;
you
hereafter.)
his
guard and soon have
him snugly packed
in your
basket.
I will here give a hint to
anglers (more particularly
young beginners) regarding the bad practice of what
is
cannot lay stress enough against
this bad practice, and will endeavour to give a few reasons
In the first place, if you have from fifteen
for so doing.
called "striking."
.
I
to eighteen yards of line out, I defy any angler to strike
in time to
hook the
fish before
angler, striking just as the fish
fly,
he has taken the
is
necessarily strains his tackle,
turning
down
fly.
The
with the
and should the
fish
be
I
but slightly hooked he breaks his hold and gets off.
of
in
seen
some
the
course
of
the
have,
my experience,
best of rods
and tackle broken by
recommend
anglers
not to
this
strike
at
means.
all.
I strongly
All that
is
necessary can be done with a twist of the wrist, and then
mounting your rod to a proper angle, keeping a strain on
the
line.
Avoid being hasty ; give and take according to
and feel your fish until he is safely lodged
;
circumstances
in your net.
I will give
met with in support of
one of many
my
theory.
illustrations I
have
About ten years ago
35
I was fishing on the Teeme, at Tenbury, for greyling.
I
was staying at the White Swan Inn, near the bridge, and
had a very good week's sport. A gentleman angler met
me one day by the stream, and, as is usually the case,
enquired
"With
"
:
What
sport ?
"
and asked to see
my
basket.
and thereupon emptied its
"Dear me," said he,
pleasure," I replied,
contents (eight brace) on the grass.
"what have you killed them with?" " The willow fly,"
" and if
I said,
you will allow me, I will put one on your
While doing
collar."
make
a cast, for the
noticed, from the
throw
and
fairly,
a fish rose.
annoyed
of his
his rod, that
"Now
sir,
feed."
I
he could
;
it
fly
was turning he
went with the fly and the
but as the
fish
Seeing this, I was much
him if he was in the
asked
hastily
"
fish in that manner.
Yes," he said,
collar.
and rather
;
habit of striking his
"I always
insult
on the
the second cast the fish took the
a rash strike, and away
greater part
I said,
appear to be
way he handled
at
and was well hooked
made
so,
fish
strike them."
"Why?"
you by taking your fly?"
I
said I, "do they
then asked to be
allowed to see the contents of his basket, which contained
I asked him if he had risen many fish ?
but three fish.
"
" but
he
Yes,"
replied,
owing to my bad hooks I have
lost
them, or
I told
his
last
fish
him
I
I
should have had a fine basket of greyling."
at all surprised at the low state of
was not
basket, after seeing the
fish
;
for the
and
I
future,
way he struck and
lost his
advised him to give up striking his
when he might reckon upon heavy
baskets as the result of his day's sport.
Some
fifteen
years
ago
I
accompanied a Scotch
36
gentleman,
named
Grant, to try our hands on the river
Wye, Derbyshire. We commenced in Rowsley meadows.
He had with him a splendid book of flies, no doubt very
suitable for the rivers and burns of his native country
(he called
them spider
their killing qualities.
flies),
My
and had
book was
great confidence in
of suitable
full
flies,
dressed specially for the Derbyshire waters, and consisted
of duns of all shades, with a good selection of red
palmers, small orange and clarets, with a variety of others.
The
call
natives have given these palmers a
them "bumbles."
When
these
together with various shades of
flies
dun
new name and
are properly put
hackles,
such as
yellow dun, honey dun, dark brassy duns, and with a
good furnace hackle,
they are
first
class,
down stream and
called in
Wales a coch-a-bonddu,
particularly after a fresh,
them, and edging the side well
them come
by fishing
allowing the water to work (not hurrying)
close
to
the bank
and
carefully, letting
before
picking up
to
throw again. This was a favourite mode with my father
when he wanted to make a good basket. But we will
Mr. Grant and myself
two
about
o'clock, up stream, and to
fishing
fish in the stream till about
a
appearance there was not
return to Rowsley meadows.
commenced
all
when they commenced feeding, the water
We tried nearly every fly
then being all alive with them.
in our books, but with no success
could not even get a
four o'clock,
rise.
We
both
catch a few
sat
flies
down
disheartened.
I
thought I would
I held
to see what they were feeding on.
landing net in the stream for some time, carrying it
carefully to the inn ; but we could see no signs of a fly
my
37
on the meshes by
being an early
The
gas-light.
I
riser)
was out
next morning (always
in the
garden by four
o'clock, when holding up my landing net to the sun, I
could see a number of the smallest midges imaginable.
On placing them under a magnifying glass I could see
the insect was what they call
midge."
Getting my book of
in
Yorkshire a "stone
found the best
materials, I
body was a strand from a
centre feather of a heron's wing ; two turns of a glossy
imitation for the colour of the
and
starling breast feather answering for wings
No.
being the smallest
o,
hook
off the
flies
before
astonished
to shorten
my
friend
size
it,
my
had made when the
flies I
fly.
After breakfast
fishing
at once.
time, as
we might
I
my
told
little
fish
was
told
I
him
I
sport with the artificial
were feeding on the natural
friend
until they
four o'clock, as before.
hook
on the meshes
them.
wanted to commence
wait
meadows
as well fish in the
and waited
;
little bit
He
appearance.
insects
him we must
the stream before they were
o'clock,
his
little
imitation of
thought we should have a
legs
broke a
I
and dressed more than a dozen
made
when he saw the
of the net and
made.
We
rising.
commenced
till
feeding
as thrash
went
at
pne
feeding, about
They must have heard
the dinner
I put up two casts
they were feeding by dozeus.
with three of my flies on each cast.
In a short time
bell, for
we
got
some very nice trout and greyling; and before
we both filled our baskets, and lost many
leaving off
through the smallness of the hooks.
I could give many instances of
a grand
secret, as
size
very frequently in
and colour being
my
younger days,
38
when
fishing with
freely,
flies,
we could not
have been feeding
father, the trout
my
we
and, although
get a
numbers of our
tried
my
rise,
me
in colour
favourite
we were
father saying
to catch a natural
and, requesting
;
wrong
he would place it under his magnifying glass and
his material book to compare his colours with the real
fly.
He
his
fly,
had a wonderful eye
for colour,
materials wet before comparing
remember on one
well
fishing the river
caught a natural
fly
Richard Arkwright's water),
sat down on the
imitations, putting
second cast he made with the three
one on each
his hold,
them
jumped
it
as
it
and
in,
them on
me
the
and
fly,
had
dived down, threw
My
it
momentary
father
made
and he
The
first
or
he hooked three
an
on the
his cast.
rising,
excellent
battle
One
broke
water.
regardless of consequences, put
fish
I
my
instantly
net under
out on the bank, and landed
father was very angry with me, telling
might have been drowned
I
flies
to the landing net.
lay exhausted
the other two.
I
from the water,
There were numbers of trout and greyling
had been trying his flies with no success.
in bringing
fly.
occasion,
late Sir
bank and made three
fish,
natural
when my father was
the
Lee hat factory,
Derwent, opposite
below Cromford (the
I
and always made
them with the
get
;
but I could not
impulse of jumping in
after
resist
it.
My
a heavy basket of trout and greyling that day
with the same kind of
fly.
This
is
only one instance out
is a
of numbers in which I have observed that colour
grand secret in
fly fishing.
39
ON COLOUR.
As
walked by the bank
I
The
I
Spring
marked a
And
splash
knew
I
Ah
!
balmy Spring
and a broadening
my
how
to entice
out of his native stream
that's the question
I've offered
him
ring,
fly to fling;
'twas a feeding trout
feeding trout; but
Him
in the
the duns are out,
hastened forward
I
For
A
when
which
flies
?
once or twice
for
!
I
thought as nice
In the trout's esteem, as vanilla ice
lady's, or strawberry cream.
In a
Without success,
On
the
flies
for
he
my
And
seemed as though
it
floating past
;
pet lines not one would heed,
But of
By some
would feed
still
which came
aqueous
elf,
it
had been decreed
that his shameful greed
Should be peacefully sated, from danger freed
As long as the rise would last.
But
at length, as the sun, at the
dawn
of day,
Bursts forth and chases the mists away,
Scorching the
lips
If the clouds
of the
flashed upon me
"Many's the shade
So
A
maxim
straight
new-mown
be not too dense
that useful hint
in
a
its
fairy
:
color's glint,"
from the coining mint,
The mint of experience.
Then come; let us glance at
With
hay,
;
this
lightsome thing
body and gossamer wing,
"Olive encircled with yellowish rings;"
Enough
"Now
;
there's the very shade.
craftily cast just
The nose
a foot above
of that specially wary cove
He was the King of Trout in the dove.
He rises he's hooked here's a game
Even a
trout's
And lines
not above the
of
pomps
of this wicked world.
In vain he gasps in unfeigned regret,
For he's
safe in the folds of
my landing
net.
who wins
4o
now
I will
state
my
reasons for what I believe to be
the cause of the decrease
drake.
The
first
of the
May
and most important
is
or natural
fly,
the sewage from
large towns being allowed to drain into the rivers,
and
mixing with the gravel in the river beds where the drake
breeds, to a certain extent poisons
have often, when a
month of May,
chrysalis
lad,
it
gravel containing the
sinking
into the
prove
this,
I
examine the
was a moving mass.
proved they were the natural
it
To
it.
into a stream during the
for a spadeful of gravel, to
semetimes
;
waded
May
into
chrysalis
bed of the
river
I
have
by putting the
fly,
a perforated box,
and allowing
it
to
On opening it I have
remain until they were hatched.
found several drakes perfectly hatched, but drowned.
I
have tried the same plan recently, and in a spadeful of
gravel have only found two or three chrysalis, where
formerly there were hundreds.
regretted,
and
my
opinion
is
This
fact is
that, unless
kept from the rivers, in a few years the
become almost extinct.
Secondly, a great cause of its decrease
number of enemies
it
is
hatched.
The
waiting to devour
is
it
small birds feed freely upon
off the water.
to see
The
to be
May
fly will
owing to the
the
moment
swallows take them by thousands;
the water wagtail, the reed sparrow, and, in
much amused
much
the sewage be
how
them
;
and
I
fact,
all
the
have often been
cleverly the birds will pick
them
soon clear them
off a
ducks,
too, will
stream.
Lastly,
when they commence
comes in their way, and
the voracious trout,
feeding, take every drake that
41
I
have taken them
killing
them they have
their appetites are not easily satisfied.
with
my
drake, and when
artificial
thrown up a quantity of the natural
fly,
apparantly just
taken.
could give numerous instances of the enormous
would seem almost incredible.
I
appetite of the trout which
Some
fifteen years
Windrush
river,
ago I was fishing with a friend on the
below Swinbrook, and killed some
The May
excellent trout there.
fly
was
just
coming
on.
weighing over three pounds, looked very much
opening it with my pocket scissors, to my
I found twenty-six minnows and two May
surprise
great
all
flies,
fresh, apparently just taken ; yet he took my
One
fish,
On
gorged.
artificial fly freely
the
first
cast.
That same day, while
walking along the banks of the Windrush, rod in hand,
looking out for a rising trout, I overtook a rustic angler,
who was
looking very disconsolate across the stream.
I
asked him what he was looking at. Pointing to the
"
Can you see that large trout
opposite side he said
:
near that
tuft
hooked him
taking
my
of grass
this
?
He
is
a five or six pounder.
I
morning with a live fly and he broke me,
and the only hook I had ; and
casting line
when he takes a fly I can see the cast very plainly." I
him to wait, and he should have his hook and cast
told
back again, at which he laughed incredulously. I took
out my box of May flies, selecting a rough one, and
soaked the gut well in my mouth. The man was quite
amazed when he beheld
my artificial flies, having never
seen anything of the kind before.
I told my friend to get
the landing net ready, as I should soon have hold of the
42
fish.
I
went a few yards below, and threw
The
stream.
fly
struck
first
rebounded on the water, the
the
fish
tuft
seizing
slightly up-
of
it
and
grass,
instantly.
I
mounted my rod, keeping his head well up to avoid the
weeds, and led him down stream to some open water free
from weeds, where
myself ;
him out and
I tired
landed him
and sure enough the man's hook was
tongue, with the cast attached.
I
gave him the
in his
priest
(which I always kill my fish with before attempting to take
a fly out), and, taking the hook out, I said to the man
" Here's
your cast ; did I not tell you I would give it you."
I shall never forget how simple and astonished he looked ;
:
he could scarcely believe his own eyes as he thanked me.
This trout weighed over two-and-a-half pounds.
I then
left my friend and wandered farther down stream towards
I met with
Witney, passing some very heavy trout water.
a shoemaker who was jack fishing, of whom I enquired
if there was any trout in that reach of water ?
He
" No there's
;
replied,
nothing here but coarse fish and
" What is that
I said,
rising by the willow tree
pike ?"
"
in
water
?"
the
He
said,
Only a large chub, sir."
growing
" let him be what he
will try and present a
I
I said,
may,
I could do so,
him."
It
was
some
time
before
to
fly
losing two or three
flies
in the willow
through a small opening in
last,
took
and the moment the
it
;
and when
I
its
fly
by having to cast
I succeeded at
branches.
touched the water the
mounted
my
rod he rushed
fish
down
stream, clearing everything before him, trying hard several
The
times to get back again, but I would not allow him.
shoemaker said, " He is only a big chub, sir," to which I
43
and
him under the
replied that he fought very strong
an excellent
battle with
trout like.
I
had
he did
as
water,
I asked the man if he had ever
not show up at all.
fish with his hands, as I had left my landing net
landed a
with
my
I
tickling.
landing this
I
He
friend.
had landed scores of
said he
fish
by
promised him two shillings if he succeed in
one for me. He laid down on the bank, and
brought the fish gently up ; but as he caught sight of
man he rushed across the stream, throwing himself in
the
the air two or three times, sea trout
like,
and
then saw
I
was a very large trout. I played him till he was
exhausted, and the man landed it in his own way by
it
throwing
it
old trout, in
pounds.
my May
A
condition,
returned to
He was
sport.
had
I
out over his head.
fair
It
was a very fine-looking
and weighing over
my
five-and-a-half
who had met
friend,
surprised to see such a fine fish,
fly in his
with no
who
still
mouth.
mine is the Kennett,
I have no hesitation in saying
Hungerford, Berkshire.
it is one of the finest rivers in
England, and is the very
of
trout
water.
I have killed, with my
perfection
heavy
very favourite river of
over five pounds
floating
May
trout I
ever killed on that stream weighing six pounds
flies,
many
fish
;
the best
two ounces, which I had preserved by Cooper, of
London, and is now to be seen in my shop, as is also a
greyling, weighing three pounds,
I
with
much
been killed
pleasure.
in
Some
very
the river Kennett
on the Test,
killed
below Stockbridge, with many others
;
now look
I
heavy
one,
in
trout
at
have
particular,
which weighed thirteen pounds, whose favourite haunt
44
was under the
this fish
knew
is
built over the river.
It
was said
the sound of the dinner-bell, for he
out most days while the
men
;
if
were
He
accustomed to feed him.
boiled potato
below
carrier bridge that crossed the river
the tan-yard, which
at dinner, as
came
they were
would swallow a small
more than one were thrown
to him,
he
would go down the stream and take it as it met him. He
would also take pieces of bread or meat, with^which the
men
occasionally baited a hook, but which he passed as
it.
The men tried him with every bait
could
think
but
he avoided them all, and it was
of,
they
remarkable how soon he detected the finest gut line.
But
with all his wariness he was caught at last, I was told, with
if
he did not see
rod and
line,
baited with half a boiled potato, having been
starved for several days.
am
I
glad to hear they have
formed a club upon this river; but unless the commoners
can be bought off the stream, I am quite sure the club
will only
be preserving
fish for
When Toms and Mathews
to
get a
surprising,
good stock of
for
as they called
and night
lines,
I
have
them.
I
have proved
this.
held the water they tried hard
trout, but failed
seen
the
;
which
commoners
is
not
fishing,
some by wiring, others with spears
and many netting it. Some twenty years
it,
when I first went to the Kennett, it was four o'clock
when I arrived, and that same evening I got several brace
ago,
fish with the orange palmer, one or two being
over two pounds, while fishing from the bridge to the
of good
mill.
I visited Hungerford
meeting with good sport.
for a
I
number of years,
was there
generally
in June, 1865,
and
45
some days went down the stream below the
for
On
the
1
Hungerford
whom
of
up above the mill,
where I saw five or six
2th I went
liberty,
bridge.
to the
end of
anglers,
some
knew, throwing over two or three splendid
on the rails some little time looking on, when
I
I sat
trout.
a reverend gentleman came up and asked me to put my
I refused, as the
rod together and come and try them.
" You must
friends
of
mine.
He
said
were
gentlemen
:
come, as I have
made
a bet that you will hook the three
Under the circumstances I went, when they
fish."
I
immediately left off, sticking their rods in the ground.
put my rod together, selecting a strong casting line, well
testing
out
my
it
my hands, and soaking
May flies, choosing a large
through
box of
it.
I
then took
one, dressed as
Body, cream-coloured Berlin wool, tested; tail,
three strands from a hen pheasant tail feather ; wings, a
follows
:
dyed mallard feather, rather dark ; a long buff hackle,
with brown centre, ribbed down the body, and a small tag
of gold
fly
tinsel.
before
me
This
is
now.
the correct dressing, as I have the
After attaching the
fly,
one of the
gentlemen wished to throw with my rod, exclaiming,
" That's the
It was along throw,
fly that will kill them !"
(nearly twenty-five yards,) to the opposite side, close to
some
hazel bushes.
went over the
fish
He
threw a splendid
line,
and the
fly
a dozen times, but he took no notice
The gentleman who had made the bet, said, " Give
up the rod Ogden will have him directly." I told them
I sat down on my basket,
I must give the fish a rest.
carefully watching how he was feeding and after he had
of
it.
;
;
taken a few drakes
at
intervals, I said
I
would
try him.
46
I went a few paces below, and threw up stream.
me, and before the
cast did not please
the water I picked
I
unnaturally.
my fly
my rod, by
see
it off,
made
not wishing
a second cast, and was delighted to
and the
I
mounted my
reeled up quickly, as I found
and could see
wanted to land him
will serve
him
putting a strain
rod."
I
did
so,
his
Of
me
One
I said,
fly
to
it
running back.
my
in
feet
I
deep
of the gentleman
"
no means I
By
;
do sulky salmon, and other fish, by
on the line and striking the butt of the
as
I
which caused him to rush
going across he threw himself in the
eased, but
came
course I had a slack
him near
tail.
at once.
trout
and he rushed across the
rod,
as a ditch behind prevented
water,
The
lowering the top, to prevent a drag.
river as quick as lightening.
line,
fly
to pass over the fish
alight within a few inches of his home. I eased
floated well without a ripple,
instantly.
it
My first
well touched
still felt
him, and found
air,
I
must
and
out,
salmon
try
like.
in
I
and take
him down stream. He complied with my wishes till I got
him into a reach of water free from weeds, allowing my
rod to do the work by giving and taking a few inches
when
fish
off.
required.
I told
the gentleman he might land the
on one condition, namely, that he did not knock it
I instructed him to plant his landing net in the water
as far as he could reach, ten yards below,
and
I
would
bring the fish over the net, he moving the net up gently,
and, when the fish was bagged, drawing it out, not lifting
the net up in the
water.
it
was,
He
like
air,
but pulling
succeeded in landing
it
it,
forward gently in the
and a splendid trout
a mass of gold, short and thick, weighing
47
and three-quarter pounds. The gentleman who I
as having had a throw with my rod,
five
mentioned before
came up and asked me how
threw as
did
I
good a line as I did.
remarking that he
could not tell
it,
I replied I
him if he gave me all Hungerford. He begged me to
make free with his brandy flask. I dried my fly and took
my
stand below another
At the second
stream.
on the
fish,
cast
feed,
he took the
throwing up
I
fly.
mounted
my rod and took him down stream, and a rare battle we
This fish was in first-class condition, and weighed
had.
four-and-a-half pounds.
The gentlemen cried out, " Now
Ogden, for the third fish," which was a little higher upstream.
to
down on my
I sat
basket, nearly opposite him,
watch how he was feeding.
This he was doing very
cautiously, allowing several natural drakes to pass
now and then
took
selecting one.
me some
off his
guard
He
by him,
was very wary, and it
time and trouble before I could catch him
;
but I stuck to him,
occasionally, not letting
my
fly
giving
He
two or three times on each occasion.
and a
out of
fine contest
its
mouth,
we had
I
together.
discovered an old
had broken some one
was the cause of
flies still,
its
rest
took
it
at last,
When
tongue, without any gut attached to
it
him a
pass over him more than
previously,
being so wary.
it.
taking my fly
May fly fast in its
To all appearance
and
I
that,
no doubt,
have both these
and keep them with other old pensioners. The
was twelve and three quarter
total weight of the three fish
pounds.
One
of the gentlemen said he had been throw-
ing over the fish for three days, chiefly using the sunk
I
gave the
fish to
them, being well
fly.
satisfied with the sport
48
as
my
Since then I have killed several
share.
there
fish
over four pounds, and one six pounds, in weight, being the
one I spoke of previously, and which is now to be seen in
my
shop.
The River
Colne, Fairford, Gloucestershire,
and one which
favourite stream of mine,
is
a very
I consider
by
far
other stream in
England for producing
fine-flavoured trout. Forty years ago it was not uncommon
for anglers to fill their baskets with a sunk green drake,
surpasses any
dressed buzz
;
but since then the
fish
enlightened, and now
it is
with the floating
dressed ever so
flies,
hard as you may.
I
have become more
a difftcnlt matter to get a brace
artistically,
have seen good hands
work as
fish for three
or four days without getting a brace, there being, at the
same
time,
plenty of trout feeding on the natural
This makes good
my
theory that the
fly.
more 'a stream
I
whipped, the more wary and shy the fish become.
am convinced it is well stocked with trout, for I have stood
is
in
one spot where
I
could
command and throw
over
seven or eight good fish, some of them over two pounds
This has been in the May fly season, when
in weight.
they were feeding on the natural drake ; and I have tried
them with nearly every artificial drake, for over two hours,
to no purpose, and have at last sat down on my basket
and given way to some other angler, who has tried them
The only reason I can give for
with no better success.
this is the fact
of the stream being so much fished. I have
as eighteen or twenty rods all thrashing the
seen as
many
stream,
and many of them
a single trout.
This
is
fishing for days without getting
easily
accounted
for,
and unless
49
the
number of rods be
limited, I think in a few years
it
be impossible for even a first-class angler to get a
To show what a change has taken place in this
brace.
will
respect, I
may mention
floating drakes,
that sixteen years ago, with
I killed
pounds of
thirty
The
afternoon, several being over two pounds.
day
had on
I
introduced
last
my
one
trout in
good
stream was in June, 1871, when I first
"
" Multum in
parvo
fly rod ; and that
this
my
day's sport I shall never forget.
I
was staying
at
the Bull
down to luncheon with a nnmber of
gentlemen anglers, who were talking about minnow fishing,
Inn, and
sat
the best tackle for the real minnow, and the best
A gentleman
baits.
killers
with me.
and he wished
did
so,
thing
I told
me
him
why
it
I
had one of
if I
had one
show
to
upon which a
kill fish ?
me
asked
it
in
artificial
my
devil
my portmanteau,
to those present.
gentleman exclaimed,
will scare all
I
" That
the fish in the river
!"
The remarks annoyed me, and I said " Gentlemen, I
will make a bet that I go to the stream and get a fish at
" What will
" Not
the first throw."
you bet ?" said they.
:
much," I
replied,
gentlemen accepted
my
bet at once.
the landlord's permission to use the
not allowed on that stream.
stances I was quite welcome.
of the
fact,
Nearly a dozen
I had then to ask
"say half-a-crown."
He
I
and the time was
killer,
as they
were
said under the circum-
informed the gentlemen
two o'clock. I
fixed for
had every confidence, as I well knew where to find fish.
I put my waders on, and with my little eight-foot "Multum
"
rod in hand, waded up to the arch of the
parvo
from
which there were a number of people,
bridge,
in
D
besides the gentlemen anglers, looking on.
to the
up
here goes
I
mouth of
!"
sent
had not moved
the arch, and, saying
got close
Gentlemen,
my devil killer nearly through the arch.
my bait a second before I had a splendid
I got the fish
tug.
I
"
from under the arch and led him down
He
stream, where I landed him.
was
in
splendid con-
The May
dition, weighing over two pounds.
fly or green
drake was just coming up, and the same afternoon, with
my
floating drakes, I killed eight-and-a-half brace, several
of them
nearly three pounds in weight, using
eight-foot
which
was
1
June
rod,
handled with
the
in
published
a
leather,
" Field "
full
newspaper of
another occasion I went up to Fairford, with
friend, to fish the river Colne, but finding so
there, I told the landlord I should not
.a
many anglers
go down his water
might interfere with the gentlemen fishing ;
asked him if he thought Squire Barker, who resided
that day, as
I
little
7th, 1871.
On
and
my
account of
at Fairford,
replied that
it
would give us a day on his half water. He
it would be useless to ask him,
as he never
gave permission to anyone.
But we thought, however,
try him, and fortunately met him in the park.
once told him our errand, and begged his acceptance
we would
I at
of some
artificial
drakes out of
my
box.
He
said he did
not fish himself, but would give them to his brother,
was an
angler.
He
to fish a day or two
to
to
gave
on
me and my
his
The
Quenington
and I soon had some
My
friend went higher
and we went up
fly was coming up
half water,
commence.
strong,
who
friend permission
fine trout in
my
basket
up the meadow, but soon returned
to ask
me
pounder
to go back with
that
opposite
was
rising
him and
try for a five
and near which he could not
side,
or six
under some alder bushes on the
get a
fly,
It was, indeed,
having lost several in the attempt.
a fine long fish to look at.
There was but a small
space where I could present a fly to him, and he came out
and took
I
it.
mounted my
rod,
and the
fish
rushed up
stream, salmon like, drawing my rod-top into the water.
As my line was got fast round the handle of my reel ( I
have my reels made on a different principle now) the
consequence was he broke me, taking the most of my
My friend was very excited, and said I
casting line.
should never hook so fine a trout in the Colne again.
next day I was fishing two meadows below, and
The
noticed a fine trout
cautiously.
I tried
now and then
him with
taking a
several tempting
fly
very
flies,
and
he took one, and a good battle resulted.
On
landing him, to my surprise I found the fly and piece of
cast that I had. lost the day before, and which I had
at
last
dressed at the -Sufi^ before starting, still in his mouth.
My friend could scarcely believe his own eyes. The fish
weighed only three and a quarter pounds, being very long
but in poor condition.
According to its size, it ought to
have weighed seven or eight pounds.
Another favourite river of mine is the Usk, Monmouthshire, which I have fished from its source for nearly
forty years, for
northern
Treecastle,
it
reaches
both salmon and
side of
and
trout.
Carmarthenshire,
receives
It
rises
on the
some miles above
numerous small streams before
the county town.
The
river
abounds with
52
salmon, and, as a trout stream,
in either
I
North or South Wales.
this delightful
stream
down
think
The
all
Thirty years ago the angler could
fish
;
by
far
the best
angler, in following
to Crickhowell will, with the
scenery and the sport, meet with
by asking permission
it
that can be desired.
most of
but for several years
it
this
water
has been
preserved by the owners, and clubs have been
formed on some parts of it, of which, in consequence of
strictly
the number of applicants,
it is
a difficult matter to
become
a member.
The Monnow
is
well deserves a visit.
another splendid trout stream, and
Some twenty years ago most of this
stream was orjen to anglers by asking permission, and
many a fine basket have I made from it. I used to put
up at that excellent little inn, the Bell, close toihe stream,
and within a short distance of that capital stream, the
Trothey, where I have killed
in weight, with the artificial
any
I
many
trout over
minnow.
These
two pounds
trout surpass
ever killed in either North or South Wales, being
short, thick fish, as
I think
of these
the clubs.
pink as salmon, and very choice
flavor.
very difficult to get a day's fishing on either
streams, except through a member of one of
it is
THE GREEN DRAKE.
I
HAVE made
this fly
my
especial study from a
lad,
and
have always felt the greatest interest in watching
progress from the bed of the river, and have dressed
When
in every
tying
a lad I
its
it
commenced
way imaginable.
them buzz, with a strand of buff-coloured wool
for
hen pheasant tail feather,
body ; tail,
set on rather long ; for wings and legs, a mallard breast
feather dyed yellow with fustic chips and copperas.
For
three strands of
the
a change I used a bittern hackle set in with the dyed
mallard, and many a basket of fine trout have I made
with this buzz
fly.
Another good pattern is two or three
and ribbed down the
turns of bittern hackle at the head,
same body
as above, at intervals, not too close.
Snip off
the fibres nearly close to the wool, leaving the two turns
at
the head for
legs.
Wings stripped from the dyed
mallard feather, and set on
fly,
for
many
last.
I
used
years with great success,
when the
would take a sunk
this,
as a sunk
and have noticed
was by far the
most deadly, and did not require half the labour or skill
as the dry fly.
I continued using the sunk fly till I
that
fish
fly it
54
could not take another
and
floaters,
am
I
fish
with
confident
it,
when
I
am
them
Floating Flies, having introduced
A
deadly.
the
to
up
and,
present
Body made
mine
of buff-coloured
introduced
forty years
set
in
down
ribbed
:
at
below the ribs of chenile
down
a ginger hackle, rather long in fibre, wrapped
body by the side of
ago,
dressed as follows
is
chenile,
intervals with gold or silver tinsel,
feathers,
my
originator of
have proved them very
time,
great favourite of
I
the
;
the
wing, two dyed mallard
tinsel;
very upright, back to back for floating
wings ; tail, three strands of cock pheasant tail feather.
This fly is an excellent floater, and kills well amongst
large trout at Hungerford.
May
flies
I
cock-tail fashion, as
contact with the nose of the
do not approve of dressing
the tail frequently comes in
fish,
those dressed on the hook only.
dresssed
my floating Green
shall
fully
floating
May
I
Of
Drakes as
as
describe,
flies
and
will
not stand as
late
years I have
follows,
the angler can
make
not too large or too long in the shank
hooks
for
May
flies,
and which
consider they are the best
I
:
Hook, No.
6,
I prefer bright
not too heavy in the wire
;
shape,
according to fancy, as some prefer the sneck to the round
bend.
I
always
test
my
straighten out or break.
hooks
Fix
or four wraps of the tying
first,
it
silk,
to see
if
they will
in the fly vice, put three
well
waxed (which may be
any light colour), round the shank of the hook, leaving
sufficient bare hook to wing upon ; select a strand of good
round undrawn gut, according to the size of the hook ;
test
it
well
by drawing it through the hands till it is
it underneath the hook,
and wrap
perfectly straight, lay
55
down
the body with the waxed silk, close and firm, not
one wrap on another ; try the gut with a steady strain,
No fly should be made
to see that it is tied in firm.
without this precaution.
pheasant
tail
and
set
silk
Set
feather for tails
in at
it
;
of hen
wax a length of red
Take a clean bright
three strands
in
well
the shoulder.
may be
obtained at any fancy shop,) split it
the centre, cut off about three-quarters of an inch,
straw, (which
down
less, according to the length of the hook ; taper
each end with the fly dressing scissors, and fit it to
more or
it
at
the body of the
tyer
how
If the straw
without
A
fly.
little
is
a
damped
splitting.
practice will soon teach the
and
to cut the straws
fit
little,
them
nicely to the body.
will
it
bend
better
and
Place the straw underneath the hook,
bringing the two edges close together on the top of the
body
;
put two or three wraps of the red
shoulder on the straw, pressing
the body, and close the straw together.
down on
to the
silk
Rib the red
the straw, not too close, about four ribs
tails.
The wings
at
the
well together to form
it
for this
fly
silk
down
should either be
Egyptian goose, wood, or summer duck ; set the wings
on perfectly upright, not letting them twist round. Turn
the quill ends back and
drawing
out.
tie
Take three
head to form the wheel
;
them down
pass the silk behind the wings
take a freckled bittern hackle, and
the wings
\
;
up behind
take three or four turns to form the legs, and
fasten off with
much
to prevent their
turns of peacock herl at the
tie
it
in close
one wrap and two hitches.
use any hackle you
may
fancy.
This wears
For a change
The one I prefer is
better than finishing off at the head.
taken from the wing of the ubar bustard, and certainly
approaches the nearest in colour to the legs of the natural
fly.
A
ginger cock's hackle
variety, use a partridge
The
rump
also
is
and, for a
good;
feather, with a ginger hackle.
The
wings, to match, should be Egyptian goose.
cork bodies are dressed in precisely the same way, but I
give straw the preference of three to one over cork either
for colour, wear, or floating properties.
In speaking of
wings (the most essential point in the dry fly), I consider
the Egyptian goose feather, taken from the side of the
breast, the best for the purpose, as
they
resist
much
the water
summer duck, and
from their
better
oily nature
than the wood or
whipped dry much quicker.
are
I
must not omit to mention the different mallard feathers
which are good
for
wings of the floating drake.
My
is taken from the side of the
favourite mallard feather
shoulder, where the large
brown
are so useful in tying salmon
These short dark
others.
feathers are
and
sea-trout
feathers
make
found which
flies,
and many
excellent wings,
and match a cork body ribbed over with fine gold twist.
Another is the mallard feather, taken from the side of
the breast.
It is
right shade, to
most
difficult to
match the
tint
dye
this
the
feather
of the natural wing.
I
have tried almost every vegetable dye, with various barks
and chips. The best I have yet found out is produced
as follows
After taking off the
:
feathers in hot soap
well in
warm
water.
down
or
fluff,
wash the
and water, and afterwards rinse them
Put two quarts of soft water and a
small cupful of ebony chips into a tin saucepan
well
till
it
is
reduced to three
pints.
;
boil
Put the washed
57
and pour the boiling dye on
let them stand in the dye at
feathers into a large basin,
them.
Stir
them
well
and
then put about a pint of soft
water, a cupful of shumac (the kind used by tanners),
and a lump of copperas, the size of a walnut, into the
least twenty-four
hours
;
dye saucepan, well boil the compound and pour
To
the feathers.
it
over
ascertain the colour take a feather out,
To deepen the
well in cold water, and dry it.
simmer it over
and
add
more
to
the
colour,
dye,
copperas
a slow fire.
With care and observation you will get them
rinse
it
the exact tint of the natural
fly.
When
the feathers are
taken out of the dye, be careful to rinse them well in
plenty of water.
My mode of drying feathers is as
Squeeze them well in your hands, and put them
box ; hold it over a very slow
follows
into an ordinary paper hat
and shake
fire,
it
till
the feathers are dry.
when
following an excellent plan
bent, be they ever so
bad
:
boiling water over them, let
dry them
frequently do
which
I get
have
a
little
Put them
in
them stand
till
above, which method
as
as follows to
I
find the
and
feathers are crushed
a basin, pour
cold, and then
will restore
some of my
floating
them.
May
I
flies
been worked hard, and look done up
hot water, lay hold of the gut, keeping the
:
wings in the hot water a few minutes. This will straighten
them, and you can easily dry the fly by wafting it in the
air, at
shape
a fine
would
as a
the same time placing the wings in their proper
;
and
I
have been many times rewarded hy basketing
one of these worn out flies, as some
trout with
call
new
them.
fly.
Of
course they will not float so long
It is
for
me
not necessary for
any more recipes
to give
dyeing materials or hackles for
fly
dressing, as
Judson
has conferred a boon to the angling world and the public
in general, by bringing out his useful dyes, of every shade,
at a trifling cost, with full instructions for using them.
THE GREY DRAKE.
This
is
an excellent
taken a fine trout with
killer,
my
and
artificial
I
have frequently
grey drake,
when they
have refused the green drake, alder fly, and yellow dun.
I have dressed them in a variety of ways, with wool
bodies and straw bodies, but shall only fully describe
any
:
freckled
fowl
guinea
feather;
nicely tapered, and a strand of
ribbed over
it
Then
at intervals.
feather, strip off the right side
body,
long, tie
it
prevent
off.
silk
of the feather, and snip
it
about the eighth of
down
to the tails
on the black
down by
on
the
tinsel, keeping
edge that is
Finish off with the black silk, under the
it
slipping,
the side of the
stripped
sewing
take a long guinea fowl
in at the shoulder with a few inches of
silver tinsel, rib the tinsel
silk to
a bright straw,
fine black
off the other side, not close, leaving
an inch
tails,
my
improvement, which I find is the best pattern of
Hook, No. 6 ; tail, three or four strands of bright
latest
and
rib the
hackle
it
with one wrap and two hitches.
The wings
for grey
drakes should be the speckled feather taken from the side
Set two of these feathers on quite
teal's breast.
of the
upright,
them
in
back to back
;
;
turn the quill ends back and
form the wheel
at
tie
the head with two or three
turns of black ostrich herl, and tie in a small gallinae
59
feather, giving
form the
two or three turns behind the wings to
My old favourite pattern was a straw
it
legs.
body and a hackle with black centre and white edge,
ribbed
down
the body at intervals
shoulder only,
;
or the hackle at the
a very good pattern.
is
Before leaving the subject of flies I will give my
Take four ounces of the
recipe for making white wax
:
best white resin, half an ounce of fresh lard,
of an ounce of white wax.
in a jar, over a slow fire, stirring
Add
the white
wax and
hour, then pour
it
well with the
it
Cut
it
up
It
fire.
more
lard
If
;
it is
and
alterations chiefly
cold.
till
pliable,
stick.
for a quarter of
an
putting
and keep
too hard, melt
if
it
for half
an
cannot be worked too much.
into small peices,
ready for use.
little
lard,
the time with a
it all
simmer
out into a basin of cold water and work
hands
hour before the
and quarter
Let the resin be well melted
too
soft,
it
in
cold water
up again with a
add more resin. These
it
depend on the weather being warm or
ON RODS.
THIS
is
a most important article to the angler, and should
be selected
in every possible point to
meet
his wishes.
I
The rod should
going to extremes.
neither be too stiff or too whippy.
The action of a welldo not agree
in
balanced salmon or trout rod should play true and even
from the butt to the top, and when put together and held
If it
ought to lay nearly straight from the hand.
in
than
one
more
it
will
be
sure
to
another,
part
drops
out,
break there, and
to
make
a
cast.
may do
If
it
so even
should
when picking up the
last for
a short time
very unpleasant for the angler to try and
cast.
For single-handed
fly
make a
is
correct
an eleven or
fishing I think
twelve foot rod ample for most streams.
line
it
I
seleom use
one longer than eleven feet, and prefer an eight foot when
wading, as I can do the work much better, and throw
right
and
left
under overhanging bushes, which
impossible to do with a long rod.
rod he cannot wield with ease
would be a pleasure
;
it
it
is
If the angler uses a
makes a
he soon becomes
tired,
toil
and
of what
feels
the
6i
arm and
effect in
wrist.
I
do not recommend a rod made
up of three or more different kinds of wood, as I think
it impossible to get the action quite true. From a practical
experience in rod making during the last forty years, I
have come to the conclusion that the very best wood is
the dark-coloured blue mahoe, free from flaws,
is
superior to greenheart,
very tough and fibrous, and which,
broken, to
and which
lancewood, or hickory, being
be composed of a
if
when
good, appears,
series of strings welded
It will keep its pitch marvellously well.
I have
by leaving a two-pound weight tied to a peice of
attached to a joint of this wood for a whole night,
together.
tested
line
and,
it
when removed
straight as if
it
in the
it
morning,
had not been
has sprung up as
used.
For top
joints,
lancewood or greenheart are preferable.
It is
the blue
now some
thirty years
mahoe wood
for
since I
first
rod making, and
I
introduced
have used
ever since with unvaried success and satisfaction.
it
Many
a gentleman angler has brought the rod I had previously
made
for him, telling
done with
me
of the extraordinay work he had
recounting anecdotes of
it,
its
performance,
and saying the rod was as good as the first day he used it.
Formerly this wood was very difficult to procure, but now
from the West Indies both
large importations are received
at
London and
Liverpool.
accidentally in
ramrods of
my
attention.
back to
up
it,
all
its
I
found
Birmingham.
and
I
pitch,
its
this
wood
The owner was making
peculiarly pleasant
aroma
sprang a piece, and found
me
it
attracted
came
well
much that I bought
commenced
day
making a rod
which pleased
he had, and the next
out quite
so
62
of
it
being anxious to try it.
workshop, and asked
for myself,
angler
came
doing.
my
into
I told
him
I
making a rod from
He
said
like
one made of
gentleman
what I was
had found out a new wood, and was
it
for myself, being anxious to
for himself,
He
try
it.
much, and would
but that he had so many
he liked the appearance of
it
A
me
it
soon returned,
That was
saying he must have a rod of the new wood.
quite thirty years ago, and I have frequently met with him
rods of different makers.
since, as
and
he comes every
His
its tributaries.
generally of the rod I
wood.
He
considers
May
left,
but
season to
fly
made him from
it
the Colne
fish
subject of conversation
first
worth
its
that then
weight in gold.
made him new tops to it. He
hundreds of brown trout with it,
tells
me
is
unknown
I
he has
have
killed
besides greyling and
numbers of sewin, and a few salmon. Fourteen years
ago I received a most satisfactory testimonial from him,
which spoke most highly of its merits, and only last year
he told me he would not part with the rod for twenty
It was many years before I could get a supply
pounds.
of this wood, or even ascertain
" blue
at last it was called
jungles of Jamaica.
and
I
its
name.
I
discovered
mahoe," and that it grew in the
have used it ever since for salmon
and have received numbers of testimonials
trout rods,
from gentlemen anglers who have purchased them.
I will try to describe a few of the qualities of
wood.
The
split
It
is
very
dark-coloured
straight
is
light,
is
by
and breaks
far
invaluable.
like
the best, and
I
this
jungle cane.
when
it
will
have worked up
if I meet with
quantity during the last twenty years, and
a large
63
a log that will not
is
I
will split
snap
This
visible.
previous to
straight
it
like a carrot
will
it
no imperfection
wood
straight, I discard
split
at all cross-grained,
not occur
will
its
If
at once.
where there
if
the
being worked up.
consider the mottled canes excellent for both trout and
salmon rods.
well
down
They should be
these canes,
if
they
and
is
other
but the difficulty
invaluable,
taper to them, and that
made
rod
in so as to get
will last
much
with
a proper
longer than any
little or no
to get canes with
is
is
of a proper taper to play
three-joint
come
will
action,
;
A
into the hand.
why
so few are in
These
use.
cane rods require great attention in the making, particularly
in putting on the ferrules, the edges of which should be
rounded so as not to break the skin of the cane, neither
should there be the smallest shoulder made. The ferrules
should cover the skin of the cane, and, when rivetted on,
should be done in the middle of the
ferrule, or
it
will
soon
have recently seen a rod I made twenty
It is quite straight, and looks
of
mottled
cane.
years ago
its
as if it would stand
work, with care, for an equal
break out.
I
I
period.
am
always delighted to see an old rod, and to
hear of the numbers
brought to the
of salmon and
pannier,
sea trout
some of them under
it
has
difficult
circumstances.
The rod
eighteen
feet,
salmon fishing should be from sixteen to
every inch over which adds to the weight
for
never yet handled a twenty-foot rod that an angler could
use with ease and comfort.
True, a rod of that length
I
will
make
short
work with a twenty-pound salmon; but
strongly object to pulling the fish out in that way,
it
I
being
64
always attended with danger to the tackle, and especially
A salmon rod should be made .of the best
to the rod.
Indian mottled cane, or blue mahoe wood, and so
that
when a
and
tells in
middle
fish is
hooked the
comes
casting line
and
and
an unequal check on the
This kind of rod is a medium Castle
also prevents
fly.
Connell, and I find
which are made
throw a
will
it
stiffer
Rods
that are
than those
line better
and, being handled
;
much
They
when
play
use,
more
ferruled.
toil
made from woods such
blue mahoe, greenheart, lancewood, or hickory,
my own
easier,
and not a work of
fishing a real pleasure,
to the angler.
for
made
into the butt,
the hand, which greatly relieves the top and
part,
makes the
strain
I
as
prefer,
the butt ferruled and the top spliced.
equal,
and are not so
may be
It
a
little
liable
more
to break, as
trouble in putting
together for use, but it will repay the angler in the result
of his day's fishing.
I can splice my rod in five minutes
it
in a
manner
that
stand
will
it
splices should be
made
a
its
little
work
for a week.
The
stouter than the other
by leaving a little more wood in them. On no
account put wax on the splices.
The wrapping for these
should be four or five strands of hemp, well waxed, not
parts,
twisted, but kept as
flat
much
when
splices
firmer
as possible, as
flat
it
will
hold the
than when twisted, and
is
better than string or
whipcord In wrapping the splices
at the top of the splice, and start
commerlce'
together,
with two or three easy wraps \ then holding the hemp
tight in the right finger
and twisting the lower
at once.
I usually
and thumb,
close to the splice,
joint with the left hand,
put
my
it
is
done
wraps about a quarter of an
65
inch apart, but that
is
of no consequence so long as
firm.
The hemp should be passed under
secure
it.
A
it
is
the guide to
rod, properly put together in this way, will
stand a week's fishing without any trouble or inconvenience.
With regard
to
than
was able to bear
it
came
some
using the rod, I have seen
more
anglers very impatient, putting
and then,
;
strain
on the rod
as a matter of course,
have seen more rods broken by hasty
and
not
allowing sufficient time in picking up
throwing,
a long line from the water, than by playing a fish.
I have
it
to grief.
also seen
I
some of the
best of rods broken by the
getting entangled in a twig, or a blade
angler has declared
fault either with
the
it
was quite
wood
of grass
;
rotten, while there
or the maker.
A
:
was no
sudden twitch
or jerk will break the best rod that can be made.
often heard the angler say
fly
and the
I
have
"I was only throwing or
when it snapped off like a carrot."
sudden jerk will break whipcord, while it can rarely be
broken by a fair strain. As such, my advice to all anglers
striking very gently,
A
to handle their rods as gently as possible
for by so
;
doing they will avoid disappointment and unpleasantness
with the rod maker.
is
One
out
I
is
of the best and most useful rods I have brought
my much
made
the
in length.
first
I
approved "Multum in Parvo Fly Rod."
my own use, which was only eight feet
for
was suffering
and could not use
my
at the
ordinary
time from rheumatism,
rod, but did not like to
fly
be disappointed in meeting a party of gentlemen anglers,
I had joined with much pleasure, for over
thirty
whom
years,
E
on the
river Coin, at Fairford, in the
May fly
season.
66
They were
amused
highly
my
at
little
eight-foot rod
gentleman remarking that I ought to have
than bring that toy to
known
one
But
a two-pounder with.
kill
;
better
it
deceived us all for that day I landed several weighing
two pounds, and one or two nearly three pounds in weight.
In fact I made the best basket, and there were more than
;
Many of the anglers handled
twenty rods on the stream.
and
wished
to
have it ; but I would not
little
rod,
my
part with
orders
and
it,
demand
I
by me now. I took several
and
have had an increased
ones,
have
similar
for
them ever
for
it
since.
I
make them
of greenheart
wood, various lengths eight, nine, ten, eleven, and
handled with
feet, in two joints, spliced, and
twelve
leather.
I
vary
them
in action,
making some
after the
Castle Connell salmon rod style, to play into the hand.
can show numbers of testimonials speaking in the
A
highest terms of them, especially the eight-foot rod.
I
gentleman has told
me
he can throw nearly twenty yards of
kill a salmon with it.
He
"
line with his
multum," and
generally uses
more
it
for white trout fishing, as
affords
it
sport than his fifteen-foot rod, especially
when
him
fishing
In a letter received July 29th, 1878, Lord
Northbrook says " I killed a trout of eight pounds with
one of your little rods, and was quite surprised at the
from a boat.
:
power of so light a rod." I will here give an extract from
the "Field" newspaper of June iyth, 1871
"May Fly
Fishing on the River Colne, Fairford, Gloucestershire.
:
I
was much pleased with
was well stocked with
shy in taking the dry
this
delightful stream,
fine trout, but
fly
;
found the
which
fish very
and having to whip against a
67
high wind which prevailed part of the time, caused the
to
flies
fly off at
and expensive
rather a fast
rate.
some of the
best fishers of the day at the
among them
the veteran Ogden, of Cheltenham.
found
I
Bull Inn, and
He
was
using a very light eight-foot rod, handled with leather,
which, for lightness and power, quite astonished me.
I
found on handling it I could command the stream better
than with my eleven-foot rod, and with scarcely any labour
His best day's
to myself.
kill
was eight-and-a-half brace.
and a few nearly
Several fish were taken over two pounds,
reached three pounds. To those who would combine
hard work with the least amount of labour and trouble
where
(especially in streams
would
quoted.
I feel confident
and comfort.
trees
recommend
strongly
MAY
it is
a
and bushes overhang) I
of the rod above
trial
the rod of the day for work
FLY."
have lately brought out a double-handed Multum in
Parvo rod, which I consider by far the most useful the
I
angler can have.
It
is
a fifteen-foot rod,
twelve-foot rod with the short butt.
one
for fly fishing,
fishing.
one
for spinning,
The middle and
butt
is
It
and forms a
has three tops,
and one
worm
for
made from
choice
mottled cane, and the top from greenheart that has been
split from the log.
(No top should be worked up from
sawn greenheart
will cleave.)
hand
;
and
;
The
it is
not to be depended on unless
it
action of this rod plays well into the
I feel confident
it
will
meet with approbation,
being two rods combined in one.
I must not omit to mention another useful rod
I
have
just
brought out.
It
is
a
Portmanteau
Rod
68
in
five
and
joints,
gentlemen travelling,
fond of doing a little
These
occurs.
length,
and
will
more
is
especially
adapted
to
who
are
or commercial travellers
fly
fishing
when an opportunity
rods are nine and
little
ten
in
feet
throw from eighteen to twenty yards of
and
kill a three-pound fish with ease.
have just received a splendid selection of East
Indian mottled canes of the proper taper and thickness,
line,
I
which are so
to the
to
difficult
These canes
throwing.
far
I
surpass
all
woods
would here say that
making should be kept
is
and
procure,
for
all
rods'.
and
durability
wood
rod
for
seven years, after it
and should be tied in
at least six or
cut out, before being worked
bundles, and laid
yet so essential
of either salmon or trout
proper action
down
flat
up ;
in a dry place, as
it
warps
if
kept upright.
If you wish to keep a favourite rod in good order
never lay it down on the bank, but stick the spike or
spear in the ground.
After a day's fishing,
if
you do not
wish to unsplice your rod, form a loop at the end with a
Avoid
piece of string and hang it on a nail, under cover.
it up in a
slanting
harm than using it.
rearing
In conclusion
very
I
position, as that does a rod
would say
I
more
have just brought out a
salmon rod, which, in my opinion surpasses
The butt and middle of these rods are made
first-class
all others.
from East Indian canes, picked out of thousands, to get
a proper taper and perfect action. The tops are made of
split
greenheart of the finest quality.
wear and tear
like
No wood
mottled canes, when properly
will
stand
made
up.
6g
I
make
these rods seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen feet
handled with prepared
in length,
the hands from
that they will
blistering,
and
leather,
which prevents
have every confidence
I
recommend themselves
to the angler.
A FEW HINTS ON CASTING.
I
WOULD
a
line,
advise the young angler,
not to
commence
when
learning to throw
much
with too
line
out.
He
should try eight or ten yards at first, and if that is
accomplished satisfactorily, he can try a few yards more.
It is
a good plan for a young beginner to try on a lawn
or field, without
He
flies,
should also place a book or other
arm when
cast, as
out.
it
will
The
angler should rather
artificial
fly is
taking a few lessons from an old angler
use his rod
;
especially if
The
art
best learnt by
who knows how
to
and practice will improve the young beginner,
he has a natural love for angling.
Before commencing to
water for
his
not assist you to
stand erect, or in a slightly stooping position.
of casting or throwing the
under
Never throw your body
elbow.
when making a
an inch more line
forward
article
The work should be done
practising casting.
from the wrist and
get
with a white feather for a mark.
some
fish,
soak the casting line in
and straighten
by drawing
through the hands or a piece of india-rubber. This
time,
it
it
is
70
necessary for two reasons
;
it
enables the angler to detect
make a cast with neatness
The movement should be made from left
a weak place in the gut, and to
and
precision.
manner
Take the cast near the
thumb and forefinger of the left hand,
to right in the following
end
fly
with the
and hold
from
at
:
an easy distance from the body, wave the rod
to right, forming a semi-circle
left
shoulder.
angler will
over the right
This should not be done hurriedly, or the
be minus his end fly. Make the downward
stroke, not lowering the top of the rod too
much, but
allowing the spring of the rod to do the work.
very akward to see an angler throw out
his
cannot make so long a cast as when doing
Avoid
much
arm
it
It
;
from the
elbow and
wrist.
yourself, or
even your shadow, on the water, which
once
as
looks
and he
as possible showing
will at
cause a feeding trout to cease rising.
ON REELS.
A REALLY good
useful reel
is
very necessary to the angler
;
such a variety of different makes, and every
fisherman has his fancy, that I shall only speak of what I
This should have a firm check
consider the best kind.
but there
to
it
run
is
free,
and the handle
fixed
prevents the line from catching.
reel for a single-handed rod, as
it
on the
plate,
I prefer rather
helps to balance
as
a heavy
it,
and
is
of great service in making a
It also
cast.
prevents the
For trout reels, the
top of the rod falling too suddenly.
finest gun metal is by far the best ; but for salmon reels
ebonite
is
together,
preferable,
being lighter;
and,
and bound with brass or German
durable.
I like
up so much
well
if
silver,
put
are very
a reel well contracted, as they pick a line
quicker,
and run out
safer.
The
best reel
makers (and who make my patterns) are Mr. Ryder, 48,
and Mr. Heaton, Upper Hospital-street,
Ellis-street,
Birmingham.
ON FLY LINES.
A
GOOD
fly line is
I
requirements.
meet with what
I
a very necessary article in the angler's
have
for
many
years been trying
to
could confidently recommend as a good
Some anglers prefer those made by the
fly line.
Manchester Spinning Company. I have tried these lines,
and was delighted with them at first but after using them
;
found they became soft and useles for
If the dressing could be made to resist the
a short time,
throwing.
I
water effectually,
it
would be invaluable,
have some good points.
rings,
and pick up very
a plaited
little
water.
silk line if well oiled
When
hair, but
They run
a lad I
it
I
as these lines
clear through the
would recommend
and rubbed smooth.
made my own lines
with quills and horse-
did not answer very well, as
it
constantly
72
made
of
are well
give
silk
and
made
am
I
required trimming.
also in
favour of the lines
hair plaited together
;
and
if
these lines
with plenty of good horsehair, I would
them the preference over
for trout fishing,
found from
all others yet
brought out
both for use and durability.
I have
thirty to forty yards
with a single-handed
trolling,
in
my
plaited silk line,
fly
rod.
ample for trout fishing
For salmon fishing and
is
nothing better than a
with a good dressing on it.
I have found
opinion there
advantageous, when using these lines, to dress 'them
Two ounces
occasionally with the following preparation
it
:
of bees'-wax, one ounce of mutton suet, quarter of a pint
of pure boiled linseed oil.
These ingredients must be
simmered together
in
an iron
vessel, over a slow
fire.
The
should be stretched between two posts, and a small
portion of this preparation well rubbed in with a piece of
line
wash
leather.
damp,
as
it
will
On no
do
it
account should a line be put away
more harm than using it.
OGDEN'S NOTED SEAT BASKET.
SOME
often
fifteen years
felt
ago
I
brought out these baskets, as
I
the want of a dry and convenient seat by the
river side.
They are made in four sizes. The enormous
demand by anglers proves their great utility. I have them
made with great care under my personal supervision. On
OGDHN'S FOLDING LANDING
NET AND SEAT
BASKET.
73
several occasions
gentleman
on
sat
basket
my
I
tussle.
shape to
I
eighteen stone,
for a considerable time,
tempting a four-pound trout to take
and which
A
have had them severely tested.
I
Hungerford, who weighed
at
had the
my
while I was
floating
May
fly,
satisfaction of landing after a sharp
have made great improvements as regards the
the back and to my own I have two small
fit
;
leather straps attached at the back, by the hinges, to carry
my
macintosh, which I find a great convenience, as
does not interfere either in using
it
on the back,
I will
name
it
This basket has
a few of them.
the dry and comfortable
it
as a seat, or in carrying
many
advantages, and
and most important,
First,
is
Secondly, they are open,
seat.
and can be washed and kept clean without
getting rotten, as is the case with the French basket.
to admit
I
air,
consider bags an abomination, as they entirely spoil
the freshness of the
The
his
fish,
and
other day a gentleman,
seat
unfit
who
is
of preservation, and had kept
he had taken
had
other
filled
it
will,
I
it
with
him
It
its
all
had
also
The
basket
was
in a
shape.
me
seven
good
He
state
informed
over the continent, and
scores of times with
He
fish.
while sketching.
and
for the table.
basket (which he had purchased of
years before) to be re-varnished.
me
them
a great angler, brought
found
now
trout,
it
greyling,
and
a comfortable seat
looks as good as ever,
have no doubt, accompany him on many
another fishing expedition.
They are fitted with locks
and a broad leather shoulder strap, which I think is
preferable to webbing, especially in wet weather.
74
OGDEN'S SPRING FOLDING LANDING
NET.
THIS
is
my own
angler, as
hand
it
side,
invention,
and
is
very useful to the
can be carried on the basket strap on the left
and is considered the most useful and con-
venient landing net yet brought out.
When
the
fish
is
exhausted and ready for landing, the net can be taken
out from the strap with the left hand and jerked up, when
it
will spring
out ready for use.
They have
the advantage
over the telescope handles, which frequently set
fast
in
and the
damp
;
right hand being engaged with
the rod leaves the angler in a fix, and often causes him to
weather
lose perhaps the best fish of the day,
slacking or other causes.
For wading,
landing
net.
would recommend
It is all that
carried with ease.
fixed
I
My
on the outside of
through the line
All this I have experienced.
method
my
my Vade Mecum
can be desired, and
is
coat,
may be
to have a large button
under the
left
arm.
I
a loop of string in the centre of the hoop, and pass it
round the button. It is easily detached, and the length
of handle may be varied according to the height of the
tie
angler.
and
will
It can be carried in a portmanteau, is inexpensive,
be found very handy where a short landing net
can be used.
For trout and greyling fishing I prefer silk nets, well
prepared ; but for salmon or heavy fish (where the angler
does not use a
gaff) I
have found the Manchester
nets, if
75
and
well prepared, answer very well, as they are strong
pick up but
little
as
entangled
get
water, and the hook
made
those
in
not so liable to
is
of
without
twine,
preparation.
I
make
numerous
a great variety of other landing nets, too
The
to describe here.
long cane handles with
a folding hoop are useful, but require a
gillie
to carry
them.
In landing a
below the
fish,
the net should be held in the water
fish
and, as soon as
drawn out through the
but pulling
is
it
bagged, should be
water, not lifting the net in the
air,
forward.
it
ON MINNOW FISHING.
THE
rod
too
stiff.
first
tug,
for spinning the artificial
frequently use
I
not the
stiff
rod,
artificial
minnow gudgeon
is
most
or miller's
closely
thumb
is
fish.
off
taken.
1
the fish will not stop to
recommend
have
I
through the
strain.
It
resembling the
that kills the best.
the arrangement of the hooks and the
first flash,
not be
gives to the
which causes a dead
bait
qualities that ensure the angler sport.
the
;
it
more
known them knock themselves
angler using a
It
fly
rod
and, by so doing, secures
frequently
is
my
minnow should
If not
chew the
spinning
hooked
bait
till
at
he
the hooks should stand well out
76
from the minnow, and fly round with it. To keep the
minnow well under water it should be of a proper
artificial
It
weight.
it
;
cannot be too heavy, according to the
but the spinning
is
the grand secret.
I prefer
size
of
throwing
up stream, and drawing the bait down stream. By no
means make your spins by jerks. Even in a rapid mill
stream the quicker
and
work
drawn the more deadly
it is
so situated that ,you cannot draw
if
it
proves
down
it
;
stream,
from the opposite bank, edging your side well and
If used as directed, and a fish gets a sight of
quickly.
it,
it
I will bet
ten to one that he comes like a flash of
Never be
lightening.
in a hurry to land
rather slack your line.
I
never
strike,
your
fish,
but
but give and take
according to circumstances, and wait my opportunity to
land the fish.
By no means attempt to take the hooks
out of his mouth till you have given him the " priest," as
they are apt to get in the fingers while he is struggling.
The hooks should be cut out of his mouth with the pocket
scissors, not pulled out, and you may then arrange them
Avoid having too much
for another fish.
line out,
no account show even your shadow on the
basket will be light at night.
minnow up
up stream,
stream.
in the
If the river
channel
from weeds,
draw mode.
free
hole,
I
I
I
;
water, or your
prefer fishing with the
is
very weedy I work
and when
use
and on
I
meet with a
my minnow
it
large
in a sink
and
prefer the swivels about three lengths of gut from
the head of the
bait.
In
my
early practice
I
could not get them too near, and have, even
trouble,
placed them in the mouth of
thought
at
I
much
the bait;
but
77
experience has proved to
better
at least
by being
me
two
that they relieve the line
from the
feet
than the old plan of putting them
to
suppose
singly.
make
the swivels
that
the
much
It is
have
I
bait.
three swivels joined together, which I find
neater
a mistake
minnow
spin
;
they only relieve the line from twisting.
make my
I
devil killers in three sizes, always using
the heaviest and largest
when
I get to
smaller sizes in shallow water.
a mill race, and the
It is useless
making more
than three or four spins in one place, for if your fish
intends to come he will do so at the first.
I believe the
worm
In fishing
do not agree with spinning it too
to be a deadly bait, but I never use
minnow
with the real
rapidly, as
is
it
I
it.
more deadly when done by
jerks,
or
merely sunk and drawn.
The
latest tackle I
have brought out, and which has
is two large treble
proved the best for the real minnow,
hooks, on gut, tied
With a
about two inches apart.
baiting needle I run the gut in at the vent
and out
at the
mouth, passing the lead (which should not be too large)
into the stomach.
I have a treble hook fastened to a
loop of gut, which
be allowed to
This
bait.
spin freely
if
are endless,
books
down
may be used as
The
preferred.
;
I
are both good,
but
proved to be the
diving
pass
most of which
and Pennell's
their
fly
I
the trace, and which
may
up the mouth of the
sink and draw, or it will
loose or to lock
I
tried.
and are
minnow
Col.
fully
The
tackle
Hawker's
described in
have only mentioned those
I
have
sink and draw
or
very deadly, and can be used
in
best killers.
minnow prove
varieties of
have
many places where it
The great secret in
is
impossible to use other minnows.
using
it is,
when you
give a slack line, so as to allow the
Then
a tug to
feel
to
fish
gorge
tighten your line, give a slight turn of the wrist,
give
and take
fish
is
you land him.
till
I believe
many
it.
and
a good
through the angler being too hasty.
lost
*UP
IRELAND.
I
will
now
give a few anecdotes of
Ireland, which
numbers of
first
have
I
times.
Exhibition.
there, but, being
It
visited,
was there
I
was
on the
on
my
my
experience in
fishing expeditions,
in 1851, the year of the
rod and line tempted
me
spot, I inspected the fishing tackle
department, where was an excellent show by most of the
principle
tackle
makers
gentlemen anglers
interested
in
in the sight.
salmon and trout
flies,
the world.
I
met
several
who, like myself, were much
I showed them my books of
there,
when one of the gentlemen, a
me where I came
cotton spinner from Lancashire, asked
from.
I told
seen your
him, and he then said
name
the appearance of
tion,
in the
my
*
flies
Field
:
newspaper."
better than
and wished to know where
" I have
frequently
'
I
any
intended
He
liked
in the exhibifishing, as
he
should be pleased to accompany me, having, like myself,
come for fishing. Both being fond of the rod and line
79
we soon became
day to
fast friends,
and agreed on the following
the river Shannon,
try
arriving at the station
we found
at
Athlone,
On
first.
the omnibus had just
left
but seeing a ragged Irishman lying on the
;
him to take our luggage up to the town,
asked
bank,
him well for his trouble. He
to
remunerate
promising
turned round, without rising, and said " Your honour,
"
I asked him if he was ill ?
I can't do that thing."
Oh,
town
for the
I
:
no, your honour, I'm very well
but I earned twopence
;
morning, and shall want no more to-day." I said,
"Do you mean to tell me you can live on twopence a
"
Oh, yes, your honour ; I got a pennyworth of
day ?"
buttermilk and a pennyworth of praties, and shall want no
this
more
His clothes were composed of
to-morrow."
till
all
of rag and cloth stitched together, and I
manner of
bits
asked him
how he
them on
got
after taking
them
off?
He said, " I never take them off, your honour." I told
my friend I thought a good horsewhipping would do the
Irishman good.
After waiting
came, and we were soon
set
some time the omnibus
down
at the hotel.
afterwards walked out to view the town, which
We
we were
much
pleased with, and took apartments at the house
a very respectable draper. We then enquired for
the best fisherman in the town, and were fortunate in
of
who had
securing the services of a capital hand,
the
Shannon from a boy, and who was
salmon
fly
dresser.
for eight o'clock next
The
hands
river
We
fished
also a first-rate
engaged him, with his boat,
morning.
is a noble stream.
Shannon
for salmon, but did not get
a
rise.
We
tried our
Towards evening
8o
I
put on a cast of trout
end
flies,
dressed as follows
The
:
was dressed on a No. 6 hook ; body, orange floss
a black hackle at shoulder; wings from a brown
fly
silk;
mallard feather
a gold tag and three strands of golden
middle dropper, a grouse
;
;
pheasant tippet feather for tails
hackle
a gold
a black hackle, with blue floss silk body,
a
tag, and
wing from under covert feather of the
;
third
fly,
few very fine trout with this cast,
The next day Pat persuaded us
to try spinning, and recommended a piece of an eel for
a bait.
We succeeded in killing several fine trout. I
jay's
I
wing.
working hard
tried
one of
a
got
till
my
dark.
artificial baits,
but without success.
We
spent a very pleasant week, but did not get a rise
with the salmon.
We met with an angler, a captain in the
army, and he, being stationed at the barracks, gave us an
order to visit that place, which was a great treat, especially
the playing of the band.
From Athlone we went
to Mullingar, to try the
We
Mead
at the
West
which we
head
hotel,
put up
Loughs.
found miserably dirty, especially the beds. From what
we saw we decided to pass the night in our chairs. My
good hand at making punch and playing on
and I joined him with some of old Izaak
friend was a
the
flute,
Walton's songs, and so we passed the night.
morning we sent
for the best
Arkell by name,
who observed
assortment of
must be
flies,
that I
but no green drakes.
over, as they
came
In the
fisherman in the town, Pat
in
May.
had an excellent
I told
He
him they
informed
me
they rose three times in the year on the loughs, and, taking
off his cap,
he shewed
me
several live drakes
which he
8i
had caught on the lough the previous
he had any materials
I
day.
asked him
if
He
for dressing the artificial drake.
brought me a very nice assortment, and I at once dressed
a few floaters.
We drove to Belvidere lough, and while
the man was getting his boat ready I put up two rods, one
to trail the boat with
my
My
killer,
the other with one of
up a
friend put
cast of trout
Pat pulled against a strong breeze for some miles,
last he pulled in his oars and let the boat drift,
flies.
and
my devil
floating drakes.
at
me
requesting
to put out
my
I
bait.
He
the bottom unless you row."
fast to
To my
and look."
said,
" I shall be
replied,
"Throw
was spinning all
your bait,
surprise
so
I
let
out
of
line, making the rod fast
right,
thirty yards
to the stern of the boat, and watched for a trout to rise
As soon
at the natural drake.
my
it
as I
saw one do
floating fly close to the spot, 'but
so, I
with no
threw
effect.
I
threw to several, but had no rise, and then began to find
out my mistake.
The trout in rivers keep to their rests
waiting for the
when they
taking a
so that
When
I
I
flies
to
on the
and
fly,
in a
come over them
did
second are ten or
fly
make
but in loughs,
fifteen yards
rise.
In this respect
has a great advantage over the
have often
said,
and repeat
away,
a cast in their progress.
was certain of a
so, I
;
feed, they rove about very rapidly,
a mere chance to
it is
the natural
but
are
again, that I
it
artificial
;
would as
soon be placed in the stocks, as to hold up my rod and
watch a natural drake float over the waves in search of a
must admit
roving trout.
I
and requires
little
rod
at
F
or no
skill
it
is
a very deadly method,
beyond simply holding the
proper angles, and, when the
fish is
hooked, giving
82
To
and taking according to circumstances.
of
I consider
it,
flies
used
for the purpose.
But to
My
return.
on these loughs,
killing
three pounds each.
friend
weighing over
six
and myself spent ten days
trout which averaged over
some fine
In
boat with
trailing the
Belvidere Lough,
killer in
say the least
very unsportsmanlike and cruel to the
it
my
The drake comes on
pounds.
or ten days ^earlier there than on
devil
a splendid perch,
killed
I
a week
Then
Owell.
Lough
comes Dinnamara Lough, which I prefer of the three, as
is not so clear, and I have had the best sport
the water
But give
there.
wilder
and more
On
leaving
me
from the bank; the
river fishing
difficult
it is,
the better I enjoy
Mullingar we took
most business-like town
it.
train for Belfast, the
in Ireland
;
and from there to
Randalstown, where we had good accommodation and
The landlord was an Englishman, and he
every comfort.
obtained permission for us to
fish
in the river
which runs through O'NeiPs park, and empties
I was delighted with
the great Lough Neagh.
Maine,
itself into
this
reach
of water, having good sport, and making a basket on
most days. I got a few lough trout, weighing over two
pounds, with
We
my
Derbyshire duns.
next went to
Toome to
only one that runs from
see the river Bann, the
Lough Neagh.
At
first
sight
we
thought it a perfect salmon river, and wished to have a
few days' fishing on it. After some difficulty we obtained
-
permission, through the kindness of a gentleman, to fish
for trout, but not
fish at
the
salmon
mouth of the
;
and we
river.
I
killed
had one
some very
fine
day's fishing
on
83
.
Loch Neagh, alone, my friend not being well
enough to accompany me. I engaged a genuine Irishman,
who amused me with his quaint anecdotes. I killed one
the great
salmon weighing eleven pounds, and several fine
I will here relate an incident of that day.
trout.
We
took
a hamper of good things for the inner man, with plenty of
whiskey, well knowing Pat's love for the craythur, and
some brown
island
on
lunch there,
or five
for myself.
There
is
one small
but
and Pat proposed that we should
which we did. I was delighted with the
The
scenery.
scarcely
ale
this large lough,
grow
feet.
flowers
and shrubs, which
to the height of a foot, there
The
in
England,
grow to four
trees are covered with various coloured
mosses, and with the birds warbling their soft notes, the
scene appeared as one of enchantment.
After lunch, and
when about
return,
to start, Pat complained of the hamper being
and proposed to leave it on the island till our
to which I consented.
We went several miles
further
down
in his way,
the lough and hooked a salmon, but lost
As the day was
close to the boat.
and Pat called
his return
till
at the
my
spent
patience was exhausted.
last, his face plainly indicating
I
far
we
island for the hamper.
returned,
I
waited
He came
what he had been
asked him where he had been so long, as
I
it
at
after.
feared
we
should be benighted.
He said, " Now, your honour,
don't be angry; I couldn't just put my hand on it." I
begged him to make good use of his oars. He worked
very hard for
some
time,
till
I told
him
to rest
and give
" I can't do
said,
that, your honour ;
for the corks are come out and it's all spilt."
Of course
me
the whiskey.
He
I
knew
and contented myself with the ale. I did
it was too sea like to use the
better,
not go on the lough again, as
rod comfortably ; and during the remainder of
fished the river Maine, through O'Neil's park.
ten days in Randalstown, and enjoyed
I
it
my
stay I
We
spent
very much..
have great pleasure in recommending
this
station
to gentlemen anglers, particularly to those fond of trouting.
I prefer
is
more
it
to salmon fishing in
skill
grayling, than salmon.
at
Connamara, prefer
ago, I usually paid a
and
I
locality,
many
and neatness required
I also
it
to
respects,
salmon
fishing.
Twenty years
each season, to Ballynahinch
a place called The Recess ; and
visit,
stopping at
rest.
and
enjoy sea trout fishing, and,
do not know of a more charming place
tourist to
and there
in taking trout
On my
for the angler or
return I generally spent a few
days on the beautiful Lough Coreb, staying at Oughterard,
where I have killed many large brown trout ; among
one of thirteen pounds and another of eleven
pounds, the heads of which I had preserved. This is
also a first-class station for pike fishing ; and it is not an
others,
uncommon thing to get one or two twenty-pounders during
The angler should enquire for Pat Gill, who is
the day.
by the lough. He
blarney, saying I was the best
boat and if I would go in May
an excellent fisherman, and
has often given
lives close
me some
;
angler he ever had in his
I should half fill his boat with
The
day I was
there with him we killed several large pike, one over
twenty pounds, and a few brown trout, which we took
with the
fly.
Pat
never missing his
is
fish.
last
certainly the best gaffer I ever
fish,
saw
;
but always striking him near the
him
I told
tail.
He
morning.
to give you in
for Galway the next
honour
said,
Now, your
; I've
nothing
remembrance of me but my old gaff, which
"
you must keep
packed
my sake." I thanked him, and
my rods. The next morning, when
for
up with
it
was leaving
I
seated on the car, about to start for Galway, Pat
"
and
honour
breathless,
pay
as
me
for the gaff."
was
it
Now, your
; you
I told the coachman to
said,
all right,
and
I
have the old gaff by
came up
forgot to
drive on,
me
till
this
day.
I
have killed a few salmon above Galway bridge, but
I have seen the
they are too numerous to rise at the fly.
natives take them with a shrimp or prawn, by letting it
go down stream, and, when
pulling them
out, as
call snatching,
The
time
it
stopped, striking hard,
were, by the head.
but they
was
it
will
not hear of
it
This
is
and
what
I
by that name.
few days at
Ballynahinch, on the Amacloy river, where I found the
fishing first-class both for white trout and salmon ; but
last
I
in
Connemara,
I spent a
was too expensive to enjoy it long. Pat took me to
several delightful pools, and I rose and hooked several
it
good
fish,
but only landed one of them, a nice active
weighing eight pounds,
fresh run from the sea.
salmon,
and some white
trout
took the car from Ballynahinch, and came on to
"
Lough Orib, which name has been altered to Corib."
I
fish
The
of this lake is twenty miles, with a
two to ten miles, and a summer
from
breadth averaging
It consists of
level of twenty-eight feet above the sea.
total length
an upper and lower expanse of eight and ten miles in
86
Across the narrowest part of the
a ferry, connecting the western
length respectively.
intermediate channel
is
road from Galway with that of Headford.
In the upper
part of the lake are several islands, the total number of
which, large and small,
number of days
is
popularly said to be equal to the
in the year.
Many
of the best of them
have been purchased by English gentlemen, who have
mansions on them, and most of whom keep a yacht,
which they run down to Galway for supplies. Of these
Conn and Carra belong to Mayo,
and
Mask lies between both counties.
Corib to Galway,
The most northernly, Lough Conn, is about nine miles
great western lakes
long,
by two or three in breadth. Part of its shores are
wooded, and where the lower and upper lakes
beautifully
unite,
the channel
called the Pontoon.
is
crossed by a bridge of one arch,
The
scenery is indeed magnificent.
is
smaller
than Lough Conn, but as a
Carra
Lough
water
could
be more beautiful ; indeed,
sheet of
nothing
everything that delights the painter's fancy may here be
Lough Mask communicates with Lough Carra,
realised.
and
their united waters discharge
curious subterraneous channel into
no waters
themselves by a very
Lough
Corib.
There
United Kingdom (with the exception
of the River Shannon) where larger pike are caught than
are
in the
those taken in Loughs
me
Mask and
Corib.
It
seemed
to
that in these lakes the fish are proportioned in size
to the waters they inhabit.
It
is
no unusual event
for
pike of thirty pounds' weight to be sent to the landlords
by their tenants ; and fish of even fifty pounds, I am
informed, have frequently been caught
with nets and
87
The
night lines.
I
trout in the loughs also run very large.
have taken them from
which
no unusual
is
that reached the
Many
five to fifteen
size
;
pounds in weight,
and some have been taken
enormous weight of thirty pounds.
when I first visited Randalstown to
years ago,
the Bann, the Blackwater, that delightful trouting
stream, the Maine, and the great Lough Neagh, the otter
fish
and
are
cross-lines
now
much
were very
prohibited.
My
used, but I believe they
boatman had an
excellent otter,
which he used most days on the lough, killing numbers of
brown trout and a few salmon. I was much amused to
see the otter keep
up with the
boat.
Attached to
it
was
a hundred yards of line with various flies, baits, and
The boatman did not draw the otter in till he
lampreys.
had
six or
seven
fish on,
and then
it
was a very exciting
but he lost several, owing to their knocking themI preferred using the rod and
seves off against the boat.
sight
;
The drake and
artificial May fly are generally good on
Erne
and
Lough
Lough Melvin, and the trout rise well to
the natural drake in the latter part of April, and May.
I
fly.
found the best place to use them was where the
river to
Ballyshannon commences its current from the lough,
which is twenty odd miles in length, in addition to the
upper lough, above Enniskillen, which is of greater length.
Both these lochs are studded with a number of small
islands.
The
trout are thick to the
tail,
pink in colour,
Those generally caught seldom weigh
under a pound, but mostly above, and not a few from
two-and-a-half to three pounds, and occasionally up to
and delicate
eating.
seven pounds.
88
To
reach these loughs the angler must go through
Enniskillen, by rail, to Belleek, which is now a good
place to put up
opened.
at,
but was very bad before the railway
still can be obtained
But better accommodation
Gainson, on Lough Melvin, four miles from Belleek, but
is not on the railway.
Belleek is the property of
Caldwell
and
leave for fishing in his
Bloomfield,
James
at
which
bays about Castle Caldwell must be asked from him.
Belleek is also the head of the river Erne salmon fishing.
The
first
fall
is
at
Belleek Bridge, and
obtained from Dr. Shiels, at Ballyshannon,
applicants
on
turn.
The
who
be
puts the
fishing is very good, but all the
have to be sent to Ballyshannon.
fish
leave can
Besides,
it
is
very
expensive fishing, for the cost with keepers, boatman, and
often a car to drive from one occupied throw to another,
generally amounts to upwards of forty shillings per day.
The
about ten miles, and eight by
fresh out of the weir is presented
river in its course is
road, and one salmon
to a successful angler on the day of his departure, he
paying the messenger, of course. The angler has sometimes to wait for a vacancy in the sixteen rods allowed.
No
charge
is
made by
Dr. Shiels, the owner or lessee of
the fishing weirs at Ballyshannon.
The
family of the
good accommodation for anglers, better than
is usually found, and they live on the shore of Lough
Melvin.
Leave for fishing was formerly readily obtained
Scotts have
from proprietors of shores round which are the throws,
but you had to fish from boats.
The fish are long and
thin, unlike the
Ballyshannon
fish,
which are thick
built.
Although the Melvin river, the Bundrose, enters the sea
only five miles from Ballyshannon, the fish seldom go up
the wrong stream, and only now and then a Bundrose fish
is
caught in the Erne weirs.
What a number of pleasant recollections
have
I
me now of the sport I have had, and the kindness
shown to me by the natives which have made my visits to
before
;
Ireland prove
some of the
In
angling career.
finest
estimation, Ireland
my
fishing stations
brightest experiences
the
in
known world
salmon and both white and brown
Scotland, North or South Wales
;
trout.
and
who has gained
I
It is
my
one of the
as
regards
superior to
would recommend
knowledge of the
on our delicate streams, and wishes for
the young angler
rod and line
is
in
his
further experience, to visit Ireland for salmon, white trout,
Thirty years ago the angler had to
I have often slept in what we
considerably.
or general fishing.
rough
should
it
call
sport.
a hut, to be
But of
readiness for the next day's
in
late years Ireland has
been so frequented
by anglers, that better accommodation is now provided,
which of course makes fishing more expensive than
formerly.
Before saying adieu to dear old Ireland,
say a few words in
its
favour.
I
must
Treat an Irishman with kind-
and you may place every confidence in him, and he
do his utmost to serve you. The Irish lack the
industry and energy of the English, I admit ; but I
ness,
will
attribute this, in a great measure, to their being so priest-
ridden.
I
have always found them a generous and
warmhearted people, but I think it a pity they do not
cultivate their land more extensively, for nature has most
liberally
bestowed her
gifts
on
their
soil.
\
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