THE ART OF TYING FLIES. 313 



THE IMPLEMENTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



Time was when every angler was required to make his own 

 instruments, from the rod itself to the artificial fly, but now, so 

 general has become the love of this calm and gentle pursuit, 

 and so multiplied and subdivided are all trades and professions, 

 that there are few cities in the civilised world, of any magni- 

 tude, in which it is not easy, at any moment, to procure any- 

 thing that is requisite for this pursuit. 



Of consequence, the necessity for skill in manufacture of 

 implements has passed away, and, comparatively speaking, but 

 few anglers think it necessary any longer to be familiar even 

 with the method of tying their own flies, the tackle-shops fur- 

 nishing every possible variety, more neatly executed, it is pro- 

 bable, and consequently more killing, than any could be of 

 private manufacture. 



Still, to tie a neat and taking fly is a very useful accomplish- 

 ment to the enthusiastic fisherman, especially when he is in 

 wild and remote districts, as frequently must be the case ; and 

 at times some rare natural fly will be seen on the water, which 

 it may be found expedient to imitate without delay. 



The art of tying flies is attained with greater readiness, and, 

 in fact, is far less difficult, than is generally thought, or than 



