INTRODUCTION 



'OW many fishermen one meets who 

 cannot tie their own flies many of 

 them not even being able to name 

 their different parts ; and of those 

 who do tie them, what a great proportion do so 

 indifferently ! 



I believe the reason lies in the facts that there 

 are no books entering thoroughly into all the 

 details of the subject, and that lessons can only 

 be obtained by paying a long price. It is cer- 

 tainly far cheaper to make one's own flies than 

 to buy them, putting aside the amusement and 

 satisfaction derived from doing so. 



My object in writing these pages is to supply 

 such a book, in the hopes that those who have 

 the leisure and inclination to do so, will be 

 enabled by it, not only to learn to tie their own 

 flies, but also to increase their sport. 



I have so often met ardent anglers throwing 

 flies of such wondrous deformity, that, no matter 



