GHAPTEE X. 

 HOW TO DRESS A DKY FLY. 



DRY-FLY fishing being a development of wet-fly 

 fishing, it follows almost of necessity, that the 

 artificial lures used in the newer style shonld be 

 developments of those used in the older ; and fact 

 confirms the inference. 



It is in the hackle and wings of the dry fly that 

 the results of the developing process are chiefly 

 noticeable. The special object served by the 

 seemingly excessive number of fibres in the 

 hackle is, firstly, to afford greater support when 

 the fly is in contact with the surface of the water ; 

 and, secondly, to afford greater resistance to 

 descent, and thus decrease the impetus with 

 which the fly strikes the water. The split wings, 

 acting like a parachute, also contribute to 

 produce the same result. 



Now, it is well known that in almost every case 

 of practical importance, a body which does not 

 sink to the bottom of a fluid displaces a quantity 

 of the fluid equal in weight to itself. But, 

 strange as it may seem, the Archimedean rule, 

 almost universal in its application, is of but minor 

 importance to the dry-fly angler. A simple 

 experiment will decide the matter. 



Place a dry fly carefully on the surface of the 

 water, and in an upright or " cocked " position. 

 Its " displacement " is very small indeed, fittle 

 more than the bend of the hook being under 

 water. Then sink the fly, pressing it well under 

 the surface. On the pressure being removed, it 



