No. 42. THE WHIRLING BLUE DUN. This fly comes from a water nympha, lives about three days as shown, then turns to a Light Red Spinner. It is in season until the middle of October, and on the water chiefly in blustering cold weather. It has been supposed to be a second edition of the Yellow Dun of April. If compared with that it will be found rather smaller and more of a ginger colour. IMITATION. BODY. Squirrel's red brown fur mixed with yellow mohair, tied with yellow silk thread well waxed. TAIL. One or two whisks of a pale ginger hackle. WINGS. Feather from a starling's wing not very light. LEGS. Pale ginger hackle. Hook No. 2. Grayling. THE RED SPINNER lives three or four days. In making it, reference may be had to fig. 3. plate 4. It must be rather lighter than that figure. No. 43. THE LITTLE PALE BLUE DUN. This fly comes from a water nympha, lives two or three days as shown, then changes to a more delicate fly than that represented. It is upon the water at the same time as the Whirling Blue (No. 42.), and lasts until the end of the fishing season. It is very abundant, and taken equally well by both Trout and Grayling. IMITATION. BODY. Very pale blue fur mixed with a very little yellow mohair. WINGS. Feather from the sea swallow. To make it buzz, a sea swallow's feather only may be wound upon the same body. The metamorphosis of this fly has very transparent wings. It is too delicate to be imitated. REMARKS. This is called by some anglers the "Willow Fly." No. 44. THE WILLOW (OR WITHY) FLY. This fly comes from a water larva. It is extremely abundant during this month and the next, and even later in the season. On very fine days it may be even found on the water in February. It generally flutters across the stream, and is best imitated buzz fashion. IMITATION. BODY. Mole's fur (a very little) spun upon yellow silk. WINGS AND LEGS. A dark dun hen's hackle with the edges strongly tinged a copper colour: sometimes called a golden dun feather, or a yellow dun. Hook No. 1. Grayling. REMARKS. As the fishing at this season, and in October, is, or should be, for Grayling exclusively, the hackle form of No. 7. may be recalled to the angler's notice, as now coming again into season, and killing the largest fish. This and the Willow Fly, made as above, or with the addition of wings from the dark part of a starling's quill feather, are good killers in the Derwent till November. In the excellent little manual, called "Practical Fly-fishing," by "Arundo," the above is called the "Shamrock Fly." No. 45. THE RED PALMER. This is the caterpillar of Arctia caja, or the Garden Tiger moth. I have found this Palmer more abundantly than any other early in the Spring, and can recommend the use of it as soon as the water is fit for fishing after a flood; also on windy days. Cuvier remarks that this caterpillar changes its skin ten times, during its growth, changing slightly its colours. IMITATION. Peacock herl with a red cock's hackle wrapped over it, and tied with light brown or red silk thread. This corresponds also with the larvæ of the Drinker Moth (Odonestis potatoria). It may be varied by a ruby stained hackle ; which answers well on the Dove. Hook No. 6. Palmers. No. 46. THE BROWN PALMER. This is the caterpillar of Spilosoma lubricepeda, or the Spotted Buff Ermine Moth, found on nettles, &c., in July and August. |