HO W TO TIE SALMON FLIES. 



TAILS. 



The feather used for this part of the fly, more 

 than any other, is the topping from the golden 

 pheasant's head, so we will begin with that. Be- 

 ginners will find it rather a troublesome feather 

 to tie in correctly, i.e. on the top of the hook and 

 the shaft in a direct line with the shank, and not 

 leaning over to one side. Select a feather suit- 

 able to the size of the hook, and pull off all the 

 fluffy fibres. An examination will show that the 

 centre rib of the outside of the feather is curved, 

 and of the inside, pointed. Consequently, when 

 placed on the hook, and the silk wound round, 

 the latter pulls the feather over to one side. To 

 obviate this, the quill must either be held inclining 



Fig. 1 8. 



towards you whilst being tied on, or the shaft 

 must be flattened where the silk will pass. I 

 recommend the latter. The way to hold the 

 feather is shown in the illustration. The thumb 

 nail should be pressed tightly on to the quill, 



