FISHING TACKLE AND HOW T ) MAKE IT. 489 



duction of the dressings of some of the best flies for the 

 "lordly" fish will not, however, be out of place. 



The easiest Salmon-fly to make is perhaps the "hackle" 

 shown in the illustration. I call it the "Fascinator," and it 

 may be thus described: Tail, golden pheasant crest; tag, gold 

 tinsel; butt, black ostrich; first section of body, black silk; 

 first hackle, black, butted with dark gray ostrich; second 

 section; white ribbed silver wire; second hackle, gray, butted 

 with black ostrich; third section, dark crimson ribbed gold 

 tinsel; third hackle, dark wine-color; head, brown ostrich. 



Now, this hackle is made precisely as if making an ordi- 

 nary Trout hackle, and the extra care necessary is expended 

 on the selection of the right-sized hackle, and in tying each 

 section neatly and smoothly. There is absolutely no diffi- 

 culty that care and practice will not overcome. 



The bodies of all Salmon-flies are made in an analogous if 

 not similar manner. And the hook being larger, they are in 

 reality much easier to construct than the tiny midges and 

 gnats of the Trout fisherman. 



The winging of a Salmon-fly, however, presents some diffi- 

 culties. Each side must be prepared separately, and it is 

 necessary that the fibers of the different feathers should be 

 laid with care that their ends be level and not uneven. One 

 side is then placed on the other, and the two are lifted up by 

 placing the forefinger of the left hand upon them flatly and 

 then passing the stiletto or large darning needle underneath. 

 By this means the tvv^o wings can be lifted from the table 

 undisturbed, and embraced by the thumb and finger, then to 

 be tied in place strongly and firmly. After the side 

 wings are tied the cheeks and top-wing are adjusted, then 

 follows the horns, and finally the head — though pre- 

 vious to the head being wound on, the whole mass of 

 crushed feather-ends should be soaked well through with 

 the varnish. There really seems to be little else to be 

 said of great importance about Salmon-fly tying. Of 



