HOW TO DBESS A SALMON-FLY. 93 



It will possibly now be found requisite to coax the 

 fibres a bit, until they are all upon good terms with 

 each other, and do not stare, then they may be finally 

 secured with a few turns and a couple of half-hitches 

 of the waxed silk. 



Some prefer a turn or two of ostrich harl over the 

 whipping as a finish, which it certainly is ; but we object 

 to it for two reasons, as it increases the size of the head, 

 which is undesirable, being apt to make a set-off in the 

 water, and, secondly, after much use the harl is certain 

 to become loose and frayed. 



It only remains now to give the head two coats of 

 varnish, and allow it to thoroughly dry and set hard 

 before use. 



Should a topping be required it must be fixed before 

 the wings are finally fastened, and whipped in with 

 them. 



The materials used in fly-dressing, especially silks 

 and tinsels, should be fingered as little as possible, and 

 such work as waxing silk and whipping gut to hooks 

 had better be done with gloves on if immediately after- 

 wards it be intended to dress hooks. 



The body of the fly should be gradually tapered from 

 head to tail. 



Pig's Wool or Seal-Fur Body. 



A considerable amount of practice is requisite to 

 enable the dresser to obtain a satisfactory result with 

 these materials, the latter being by far the easier of the 



