FLIES AND KNOTS. 275 
other end under the last few turns, and drawing it close. 
'So. 25 is called a cat's paw. These knots will probably 
be* sufficient without adding the hangman's knot, with 
its seven professional turns, and a choice among them 
will often be found convenient, while a glance at the cut 
will refresh an imperfect recollection. 
In tying flies or hooks, it is well to use varnish occa- 
sionally, in fact wherever it can be done without injur- 
ing the appearance of the colors ; no fly will last well 
that has not been varnished. In making the wings of 
salmon flies, it is usual to put on numerous fibres, often 
of different feathers, and tie them on separately. This 
renders the wings more pliable, but destroys their beauty 
and harmony. A number of inconsistent colors will 
injure the effect of one another; the contrast between 
body and wings should be decided, and the unity and 
coherence of the latter should be preserved. If the tip 
of the feather is used and fastened by the stem, it will 
slip unless firmly secured. There is great difference in 
the adhesion of the fibres of different feathers, but a lit- 
the practice will determine the selection. 
Black bass flies are generally made with a red body, 
gold twist, and wings of ibis and white, or black and 
white, or peacock's herl and white ; but a beautiful and 
effective fly is made as follows : wings, two plumes of 
the silver pheasant with two smaller ones of ibis over 
them ; body, blood-red mohair ; furnace hackle ; blue 
floss tip ; gold tag, and ibis tail. 
In salmon fishing it is customary to use but one fly, 
as two sixteen-pound fish would be troublesome to 
handle ; but occasionally a dropper is added at the 
