DYEING HACKLES 59 



I do not propose to deal with the subject 

 of dyeing hackles or feathers of any kind. 

 Dyeing is an art in itself, requiring a great 

 deal of care, time, and patience to do properly. 

 I should not advise the amateur to attempt to 

 dye his own feathers, unless he has plenty of 

 time and a suitable " messing " room at his 

 disposal. It is certainly not an occupation 

 for a civilized dwelling-house, as it produces 

 a great deal of mess, and it will be a long time 

 before the amateur obtains satisfactory results. 

 In short, "the game is hardly worth the candle," 

 and I for one prefer to get my feathers and 

 fur already dyed from the establishments which 

 provide them. The cost of feathers and fur 

 dyed in the manner and in the quantity in 

 which they are dyed at home does not work 

 out very much cheaper than that of the pur- 

 chase of those professionally dyed in bulk, 

 and in any case the slight extra expense in- 

 volved in buying the stuff ready dyed more 

 than compensates for the time and trouble 

 saved. 



The dyeing of feathers for trout flies (dry 

 flies especially) comes in a rather different 

 category. Here it is a necessity, for dyed 



