FLIES AND KNOTS. 263 
but bj taking a number of various shades, you can rea- 
dily select the most efiective. The well-known flies should 
be dressed after Ronalds as far as practicable. It is to 
be regretted that there is not more uniformity and pride 
in, or practical acquaintance with, the subject among our 
principal tackle-makers. With the English makers it 
has always been an especial care that their flies should 
be dressed well and with uniformity ; but here, anything 
that can be palmed off on an ignorant or indulgent pub- 
lic, or a barbarous country trade, is all that is desired. 
It is better always to send a pattern, with instructions to 
copy it precisely, and that no originality of variation 
will be permitted. Then, and then only, can you obtain 
what you wish. So much for trout-flies. 
To make a salmon-fly, the following additional direc- 
tions, most of which apply equally to carefully made 
trout-flies, will be found convenient. Tie on the gut as 
before directed; upon reaching the bend, fasten the 
spring pliers on to the thread, and do not take them off 
till the fly is finished. Take two turns with the silk over 
a strip of tinsel, pass the latter several times round the 
hook to form the tag, fasten it with the silk and cut it 
off; introduce the floss for the tip, take several turns 
evenly, tie it down and cut off" the end ; introduce the 
tail and then a piece of herl, wind the herl at the root 
of the tail and fasten it ; take in a new piece of tinsel 
and a hackle by rubbing back all the fibres but a few at 
the point; leave both ^pointing from the head. Take a 
small piece of mohair between your fingers, break it over 
and over again into small pieces, lengthen it out and twist 
it round the silk toward the left, as otherwise it will 
