HOW TO TIE SALMON FLIES. 



ing the six ends together, with a sharp knife or 

 pair of scissors cut them so as to form a taper, 

 each strand being of different length ; but the 

 longest should nearly reach to a spot above the 

 point of the hook when the loop is placed in 

 position under the shank, the loop projecting 

 about one-fifth of an inch beyond the hook to the 

 right. Some fly-makers use two strands of gut 

 only, doubled but not twisted. The ends should 

 be tapered in the same way. For very small 

 flies, single salmon gut only should be used, 

 the stouter and stronger the better, the ends 

 being tapered as before. The method of tying 

 them on is the same for all, and is as follows : 

 Holding one end of the doubled tying silk be- 

 tween forefinger and thumb of the left hand, close 

 to the hook (the right hand holding the silk eight 

 or nine inches higher up), and commencing about 

 one-third of an inch from the end of the shank, 

 wind four or five spiral turns of the silk tightly 



round the bare hook 

 towards the head; take 

 care not to go within 

 one-eighth of an inch 

 of the end of the shank, 

 which must be left bare 

 Fig 8. until the wings are tied 



on. Cut off the short 



end held in the left hand (the wax prevents the 

 coils from untwisting). Now pick up the gut loop, 



