FLY-MAKING. 209 



Df mallard or wood duck, plain or dyed, are usually 

 a component part. Delicate feathers produce a finer 

 effect than coarse ones. 



In tying in an entire plume reduce it to the 

 proper size by pulling off the fibres, and if the stem 

 is large pare it away and always flatten and work it 

 with the nails ; then tie it loosely till it is properly 

 arranged, and finally, secure it with a number of 

 turns. It will slip unless made unusually firm, which 

 the smallness of the head will readily permit. 



Where the tail is worsted, it may be made of 

 several thicknesses, left longer than necessary, and 

 pared down and picked out after the fly is finished. 

 As it is essential that in making a head, the ridge of 

 the stem of the herl should be above, and as it is often 

 obstinate in its refusal to take that position, it may 

 be wound either way, — that is, from you or towards 

 you. 



Care should be taken with simple wings that each 

 is in the same relative position to the body, and that 

 the fibres are not separated ; with this object not 

 only must the thread be reversed as above directed, 

 but cohesive feathers should be selected. Some are 

 exceedingly diflicult to tie, while others, such as the 

 pheasant and turkey, retain their place readily. They 

 should be selected from feathers taken from the 

 opposite sides of the bird; and if two or more differ- 

 ent kinds are to be used, the first wing should be 

 completed before the other is commenced, and before 

 the thread is reversed. 



In rolling an ordinary feather in place of a hackle, 



