102 SALMON FLIES 



hindmost portion of the body in any case. 

 Many expert fly-dressers say that there should 

 be a considerable interval occupied by the 

 hook-shank alone, so as to allow room for the 

 materials to be tied in at the posterior portion 

 of the body ; but I am inclined to think, after 

 many trials, that this is not the easiest way of 

 securing a symmetrical taper. 



Having tapered the twisted gut with the 

 knife, continue the tying silk in close, tight, 



FIG. 24. 



even coils tailwards, until the gut has been 

 entirely covered (see Fig. 24). 



When smoothness of body is particularly 

 desired, it is a good plan to hold the hook 

 close to a fire, so as to soften the wax, and 

 then vigorously to rub the portion occupied by 

 the waxed silk up and down with a stiletto. 



The hook is now ready to take the dressing 

 of the fly. 



