viii PREFACE 



that I succeeded in learning to dress flies under 

 a similar disadvantage ! 



All the flies illustrated in this book both 

 coloured and uncoloured illustrations were 

 (with two exceptions, which I have men- 

 tioned) dressed by myself ; and though I am 

 far from being an expert, it would be idle to 

 imply that they would not pass muster before 

 practical salmon fishermen of experience. I am, 

 however, well aware that the real expert will 

 be able to detect in the coloured plates those 

 flies which show undoubted blemishes, and 

 perhaps to trace therefrom, equally as well 

 as I can, the flies which were dressed nearly 

 two years ago and those which were dressed 

 only a few weeks back. 



I cannot conclude without emphasizing the 

 enormous advantage derived in merely watch- 

 ing an expert fly-dresser at work. Some time 

 ago I had the privilege of looking over the 

 shoulder of Mr. William McNicol an expert 

 " salmon man " as well as an expert salmon 

 fly-dresser, who includes me among a large 

 circle of appreciators in England as well as 

 in Scotland and elsewhere while he dressed 

 four of the most difficult types of fly met 



