80 SALMON FLIES 



A stiletto (Fig. 15), or an ordinary stout 

 darning needle (for picking out fur, separating 

 feathers, etc.), completes a list of tools which 

 will be found useful. 



The question of a vice now arises. 



Some divergence of opinion exists as to the 

 necessity of a vice for salmon fly-tying. Pro- 

 fessional tyers usually dispense entirely with it 

 on the grounds that they have far more com- 

 plete command of the fly in all its stages, and 

 can see better what they are doing when they 



FIG. 15. 



rely upon their fingers alone. Personally I do 

 not think a vice at all necessary for salmon 

 flies. Tying without it certainly puts you in 

 a position of far greater independence. You 

 can dress a fly in almost any position sitting, 

 standing, or even reclining. It will probably 

 not frequently be necessary to assume gym- 

 nastic and uncomfortable attitudes when the 

 desire to dress a fly arises, but the practical 

 point will come in at some primitive inn or 

 fishing hut, where the accommodation is not 



