206 FLY-MAKING. 



piece by the butt in the right hand, lay it on the side 

 of the hook next to you, and holding it with the left 

 pass two turns securely, but not so tight as to de- 

 range the feather ; then catching the silk, pull the 

 butt fearlessly into its proper place, and passing 

 another turn firmly, hitch the silk under the gut, an<l 

 bring it over the reversed way on top of the wing. 

 Cut off the butt and taking the hook in the left hand 

 with the head towards the left, apply and hold the 

 other wing with the right hand. Still keeping the 

 hook reversed and wind two turns of silk with the 

 left hand from you, and having arranged the butt 

 pass another turn and hitch the silk again under the 

 gut, so as to reverse it for the second time. If the 

 wings are in their proper place, equally on each 

 side of the hook, restore the latter to its original 

 position in the left hand, and having cut off the butt 

 neatly, pass as many turns as you think advisable ; 

 then having with your nails stripped off the fibres 

 from the butt end of an ostrich herl, tie it in with the 

 point towards the left and the elevated ridge of its 

 stem above. Hitching the thread again under the 

 gut, wind with the spring pliers the herl in close 

 coils to form the head ; secure and cut it close, and 

 then stopping one end of silk under your forefinger 

 whip the other over it three turns and draw all tight. 

 Apply a little varnish at the head and your fly is 

 finished. 



To strengthen, the fly, it is well to use a little var- 

 nish before the head is commenced, and even before 

 the wings are laid, but the writer's experience goes to 



