MATERIALS FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 273 



green and copper-coloured -, peacock's and black-os- 

 trich's herlj and feathers from the heron's neck and 

 wings. In most instances, where the mallard's fea- 

 ther is directed to be used, that from the starling's 

 wing is generally preferred. You must, also, be pro- 

 vided with marking-silk, fine, strong, and of all co- 

 lours ; flaw-silk, gold and silver flatted wire or twist, 

 a sharp knife, hooks of all sizes, shoe-maker's wax, a 

 large needle, to raise your dubbing when flattened, 

 and a pair of sharp-pointed scissors. A little portable 

 vice is necessary to fix on the table, to which you 

 may occasionally fasten your hook while dressing a 

 fly. 



Be particular in imitating the belly of the fly, as 

 that part is most in the fish's sight, and make your 

 wings always of an equal length, to insure your fly to 

 swim true. 



Note. When you put or whip on a hackle, place it 

 so that the upper side of the feather may be next the 

 head, because it is always the brightest ; and also that 

 sheep stare and starling means the same thing. 



Most of those materials for fly-making may be pur- 

 chased at the principal fishing-tackle shops in London. 



The articles for making artificial flies are prettily 

 described by Gay, in his Poem on Rural Sports, as 

 follows : 



To frame the little animal, provide 

 All the gay hues that wait on female pride : 

 Let nature guide thee. Sometimes, golden wire 

 The shining bellies of the fly require. 



