FLY-MAKING. 207 



prove that the wings are the last part of the fly to 

 give out. The head will be smaller if instead of the 

 ordinary tying silk three single strands of floss are 

 used. 



To make a handsome fly, fasten the hook, the tag, 

 the tip, and the tail as directed, then preparing an 

 ostrich herl as for a head, tie it in and wind seve- 

 ral coils close to and covering the butt of the tail, 

 holding the hook in the right hand with the silk 

 coiled up out of the way, and using the pliers to guide 

 the herl. Secure the end, apply with the left hand 

 at the nearer side of the hook, the tinsel, and after- 

 wards at the further side floss, for the body. Coil 

 the tying silk out of the way, and with the left hand 

 wind the floss half way up the shank and secure it ; 

 then tie in a hackle and some dubbing as heretofore 

 directed, and having spun the latter on the tying 

 silk with the right hand, work it up towards the 

 head for the second division of the body, and secure 

 it firmly. Hitch the silk under the gut, and thrust- 

 ing the butt of the hackle down through the gut 

 loop, with the pliers sprung on to the tinsel, and on 

 the left forefinger coil the tinsel up as far as the 

 hackle ; withdraw the latter from the loop, hold it 

 and the hook in the left hand, and with the right 

 forefinger continue the tinsel to the head. Secure 

 it ; wind and secure the hackle as heretofore, and 

 apply a new piece of tying silk composed of strands 

 of floss. 



Select a few fibres of various feathers, which, com- 

 bined, will produce a pleasing effect, and holding 



