100 SALMON FLIES 



not always performed with complete success, 

 so the beginner must not be discouraged if his 

 efforts seem to fall very short of the results 

 implied as necessary from these written words. 

 The importance of a perfect taper arises in 

 the case of tinsel bodies. It does not possess 

 such significance in fur or even floss bodies, 

 where intelligent padding will as a rule ob- 

 literate any faultiness of tapering in the tying 

 of the gut loop. But its importance in tinsel 

 bodies cannot be too strongly emphasized, for 

 in this case padding will seldom rectify the 

 defect, especially as most tinsel bodies are 

 required to be dressed thin ; and therefore, as 

 it is necessary to acquire proficiency in ac- 

 curate tapering, and as accurate tapering is 

 a sound principle to keep before one, and as 

 sound principles are for their own sake desir- 

 able to follow, I recommend the reader to tie 

 all his gut loops as though his intention was 

 in every case to make a tinsel - bodied fly. 

 Thus will be ingrained a good habit and a 

 natural tendency towards thoroughly sound 

 work, which are not only desirable in them- 

 selves, but will in the long run prove most 

 economical of time and trouble. 



