VI PREFACE. 



nent, if not the most important, of these addi- 

 tions. 



The subject of fly-making is hardly alluded to 

 in the former editions ; and as the writer was of 

 opinion that the instructions in many other works 

 are not so complete as to render such an addition 

 uncalled for, he was the more anxious to supply 

 the omission. The defect in other works, it was 

 imagined, might arise from the infrequent asso- 

 ciation, in sporting authors, of a practical know- 

 ledge of fishing with that of the manufacture of 

 those beautiful baits, and also with the ability to 

 furnish really efficient drawings in illustration of 

 their instructions. The writer of this work is not 

 only a practical fly-maker himself, but has been 

 so fortunate as to obtain the assistance of an 

 artist who is also a practical fly-maker and an 

 accomplished angler. It is hoped, therefore, that 

 whatever is found deficient in the letter-press 

 instructions will be counterbalanced by the excel- 

 lence of this gentleman's illustrations. 



The work has received other very extensive 

 additions, which it is hoped will be considered as 

 improvements also. Among them is the Intro- 

 ductory Chapter, in which an idea of the pleasures 



