4 SALMON FLIES 



it is therefore also a hobby. It is an agreeable 

 way of giving expression to one's sense of the 

 artistic, and there must be few educated people 

 who do not possess that sense to a certain 

 degree. It gives the hands an innocent and a 

 useful occupation during the close season, and 

 at other periods of forced inaction, and the 

 mind a restful change from much reading. 

 Gaps made in the pages of the fly -book during 

 the past season can be filled in, new patterns 

 evolved, perhaps, and old patterns mended or 

 varied. With it all there is a pride in achiev- 

 ing something tangible, commensurate, though 

 in humbler degree, with that of the painter or 

 sculptor. And there is added to it the pleasure 

 of being able to give one's handiwork to a 

 brother angler in need, who usually appreciates 

 the gift the more by reason of its being the 

 work of the giver. Many valuable and lasting 

 friendships have originated thus. 



For all these reasons I would most certainly 

 advocate the practical salmon fisher to learn to 

 tie his own flies. He may rest assured that 

 his angling will not suffer thereby, and that 

 the charm of his hobby will undoubtedly be 

 enhanced. 



