HO W TO TIE SALMON FLIES. 



when the wire forming the eye is carried back 

 along the shank (as in No. i), that the second 

 condition can be fulfilled. If the wire is merely 

 bent into the shape of an eye 

 (as in No. 3), the rough end of 

 the wire must cut the gut, and 

 therefore an eye so made is 

 objectionable. Those with the 

 eye brazed on are preferable, 

 as they are neater ; besides 

 which, there is a flat surface on to which to tie the 

 wings, a great help to the beginner, as it is more 

 easy ; the wings too will be firmer. Many fisher- 

 men argue that metal eyes, however smooth they 

 may be, fray the gut cast more than hooks with 

 gut loops to them, but I have not found it so. 



Now, if the above-mentioned conditions be ful- 

 filled, the advantages to be derived from the use 

 of eyed hooks are as follows : First, Flies tied 

 on them will last very much longer ; in fact, where 

 natural or undyed feathers are employed in their 

 manufacture, they will last for years ; whereas 

 those tied on hooks with gut loops last but a very 

 short time, and cannot be depended upon after 

 comparatively little use ; hence a great saving of 

 expense no small item when the price of some 

 flies is taken into consideration. Second, A great 

 saving of time in tying flies, as with the plain 

 hooks gut has to be looked out, soaked, twisted, 

 fitted, tapered, and then tied on, while with the 



