198 



ing vigorously at the tail feathers of the suppositions 

 insect without getting his lips over the point. This may 

 only be an objection in certain waters and with shy- 

 rising fish, but it is guarded against by the sproat in 

 which the point of the hook is almost at the very tail 

 of the fly. The approval or disapproval of the needle 

 point or barbless hook will depend probably upon the 

 habits of the trout among which it is used. If they 

 rise well it will be accepted, if they rise short it will be 

 discarded. The want of a barb has one great advantage, 

 the fish can be so readily and quickly taken off the 

 hook. This is sometimes of great importance to the 

 fish breeder who may use a needle point hook in order 

 not to injure the fish he wishes to take and keep for 

 spawners. 



FLY TYING AND SALMON FLIES. Ii> is generally con- 

 sidered that fly making cannot be taught by written 

 instruction, but at all events there is something that the 

 experienced, and an immense deal that the partially in- 

 structed beginner may add to his store of knowledge, and 

 if the following directions will riot make a novice perfect, 

 they may aid him when he has had a few personal les- 

 sons. To tie a fly, the gut should be singed in a candle, 

 or bitten at one end, and the hook and thread waxed to 

 insure the hook's not coming off, which, when a fine fish 

 has it in his mouth, is a heart-rending casualty. Take a 

 few turns with thread on the shank of the bare hook, 

 nearly to the head, then applying to gut, whip it firmly 

 on by working back to the bend ; under the last turns at 

 the bend insert whisks for the tail, dubbing, floss or herl 

 for the body, and tinsel if desired. The floss, silk, and 

 dubbings are generally spun or twisted in with the thread, 

 and then wound back toward the shoulder, but they may 

 be wound on before, with or after the thread. Care must 



