88 SALMON FLIES 



limits of an ordinary joke, especially if there 

 are dogs and children about. 



It is inadvisable to smoke when engaged in 

 the serious occupation of dressing a fly. If 

 you smoke a pipe, it will constantly be going 

 out, and you will consume many matches and 

 develop a throat. If you smoke a cigarette, 

 you will put it aside to smoke by itself, and 

 probably burn the house down, or do some 

 other damage. 



To begin with, you will probably have many 

 mishaps, such as broken silks, feathers that 

 refuse to lie properly, hackles that come 

 undone or destroy themselves at critical mo- 

 ments, etc. Most men resort to swearing at 

 such a time. This is not a remedy, though it 

 may relieve the feelings. 



I am afraid, however, I cannot with an easy 

 conscience express disapproval of such exhibi- 

 tions of feeling, neither do I feel it appro- 

 priate to urge the cultivation of a serene 

 patience. From practical experience, how- 

 ever, I can say that this stage, which, like 

 mumps, is painful while it lasts, is not dan- 

 gerous, and will in time cure itself and leave 

 no apparent ill effects. 



