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Mr. Bainbridge says, " Whether a common 

 hackle, or a dubbed winged fly, is to be manu- 

 factured, it is invariably necessary to have the 

 whole of the materials which are to compose 

 the imitations properly adjusted, previous to 

 the commencement of the operation. First: 

 The hackles stripped, or divested of the soft 

 downy feathers which grow nearest the root, 

 and turned back ready for twisting on the hook. 

 Second: The gut carefully examined, and 

 tried by moderately pulling it, in proportion to 

 the weight expected to be held by it. This 

 precaution will frequently save the angler 

 much disappointment, by discovering defects 

 not apparent to the eye. Third : The dubbing 

 properly mixed to the exact colour of the body 

 of the natural fly, a small proportion of which 

 should be moistened, and held up to the light ; 

 for the camlets and furs, when wet, generally 

 become several shades darker than when in a 

 dry state, and in some instances assume a 

 totally different hue. Fourth : The silk well 

 waxed with a colour lighter than the body of 

 the fly ; and a hook cautiously tried as to tem- 

 per, and prudently selected as to size. Fifth : 

 The wings must be stripped from the feathers 

 by an even but sudden pull. Every thing being 

 thus in a state of readiness, the hook must be 

 first fastened to the finest end of the gut with 



