1 8 HOW TO TIE SALMON FLIES. 



English jay all turn colour slightly. The more 

 recently feathers are taken from the latter bird 

 the less likely they are to turn. Many feathers, 

 dyed or natural, lose their colour when exposed 

 to the light. In fact, sun is the enemy of dyed 

 or natural feathers, fur, etc. ; for this reason, 

 flies should never be left exposed in the hat. 

 Feathers should be kept in boxes, in which there 

 is plenty of naphthaline crystal or albo-carbon. 

 There is no necessity for the box to be air-tight 

 (although, of course, it is preferable, to keep away 

 dust) ; no moth will ever come near the crystal ; 

 at least such is my experience. This crystal can 

 be obtained from naturalists or chemists. It 

 should be renewed from time to time, as it evapor- 

 ates. If moth is actually in any feathers or skins, 

 they should be immersed in benzoline for a few 

 minutes, and before they are put away should be 

 thoroughly dried in the open air. If feathers 

 of any kind, coarse or fine fibred, have lost their 

 shape, hold them in the steam of a boiling kettle 

 (the larger and stronger the jet the better) for a 

 minute or two, and carefully smooth the fibres 

 into their places. If you take a large feather, 

 say a golden pheasant's tail feather, and crunch 

 it up in your hand, and then steam it, it will come 

 out as if just taken from the bird. Feathers, too, 

 if dirty, can be washed in soap and boiling water, 

 and steamed afterwards. 



Scissors. I advise the fly-tyer to have two 



