82 HO W TO TIE SALMON FLIES. 



you, and the right strip on the far side, as in the 

 illustration (fig. 5 7) ; but before tying them on, 

 the fibres must be bent back in the opposite direc- 

 tion to the natural curve ; you then get the longest 

 fibres on the top of the hook. The shortest or 

 lower fibres should be about the length of the hook. 

 The illustration (fig. 58), shows an easy way of 

 drawing all the fibres together, without a break. 

 The silk is waxed, and one end held between the 

 teeth. The quill end of the fibres is put through 

 a loop in the silk ; the latter is then pulled tight, 

 carefully. The wing is then placed in position 

 at the side of the hook, and tied on with a couple 

 of turns. I do not recommend this method to 

 those who have time to practise and master the 



Fig. 58. 



first and more difficult method ; of course you 

 must measure the length of the wing against the 

 hook before pulling the silk tight. 



Under Wings. Many flies have what are called 

 underwings. They may be of whole feathers, or 

 of strips. Tippet feathers are frequently used 

 here. Select a * right ' and ' left ' ; those in which 



