90 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



water of this description, by any angler of average 

 dexterity. Besides, there is more skill required in cap- 

 turing a fish with the slight tackle of a fly-line, and 

 landing him without any extraneous assistance. All this 

 uncertainty and suspense connected with his sport, is one 

 of the prime elements in the amusement of the angler, 

 and ought never to be materially diminished by any me- 

 chanical contrivances. 



On t&e Jftetfjofc of mafcing 



The intelligent reader will bear in mind that all verbal 

 or written instruction on this mechanical process must 

 necessarily be very imperfect. Fly-making is just one of 

 those delicate and minute matters, which can be learned 

 effectively only by imitation. You will learn more in 

 one hour by the eye, than in a twelvemonth by the un- 

 derstanding. The best thing, therefore, a young angler 

 can do, who is ambitious to excel in this department of 

 the craft, is to get some friend who understands making 

 artificial flies to instruct him in the business. Any one 

 may soon acquire the requisite degree of knowledge ; and 

 a little patient practice will speedily render him an 

 adept. 



But, in conformity with the general practices observed 

 in treatises on fishing, we shall here subjoin a few direc- 

 tions in detail for making artificial flies. We take the 

 account substantially from Captain Kichardson and others ; 

 because anything like originality is quite out of the ques- 

 tion in an operation so purely mechanical. 



The surest way to complete a number of flies is to have 

 every necessary material arranged immediately under 

 your eye ; every article separate and distinct so as to be 

 grasped in a moment; and all the hooks, gut, or hair. 



