298 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



wings, and, perhaps, a tail, and, in addition, a hackle- 

 feather tied on at the shoulder, to represent the legs ; and 

 most flies are made in this way, though a few, notably, 

 some salmon-flies, have, in addition to wings, tail and 

 feelers — the entire body wound with a hackle, like a pal- 

 mer. This is known as a "combination-fly," and, like 

 all salmon-flies, does not pretend to imitate any thing in 

 nature. 



It is not my intention to give any instruction in the art 

 of fly-tying, nor do I deem it at all expedient, for it is an 

 art that can not be taught by written directions, without 

 the aid of explanatory cuts and diagrams, and even then 

 in but a moderate degree. The best way for one to ob- 

 tain an insight into the mysteries of the art, is to care- 

 fully dissect and take apart the flies of the best makers, 

 for in the taking apart one can acquire more or less of the 

 modus operandi of the putting together. 



The most approved hooks for bass-flies are the Sproat, 

 O'Shaughnessy, Dublin Limerick, Cork Shape Limerick, 

 and Hollow Point Limerick. I consider them best in the 

 order named, though the O'Shaughnessy is thought by 

 many to be the best. It is the same in all respects as the 

 Dublin Limerick, except that it is a little heavier in wire, 

 and it differs from the Sproat only in the barb, the latter 

 having a shorter barb, with the point straight, or pointing 

 toward the extreme end of the shank, forming a true 

 center-draught hook. The barb of the O'Shaughnessy is a 

 little longer, and the point is turned slightly outward. 

 But any of these hooks will give good satisfaction. They 

 are made in the best manner, and of the best material, by 

 K. Harrison Bartleet & Co., successors to Richard Harrison 

 & Co., and T. Hemming & Son, of Redditch, England. 



