56 CATALOGUE OF INSECTS, 



some black from a Spanish cock ; some peacock 

 herl of a ruddy copper tint ; and a little gold 

 twist of two sizes. These and some of the finest 

 gut, and choice sneckbend hooks, are required of 

 necessity. And it is supposed that the angler 

 who aspires to make a fly can fasten a hook to 

 gut neatly with very few turns of silk, and can 

 fasten-off cleverly. But, now he is passing on 

 to fly -making, let him observe that his silk had 

 better be only half as thick as what he has 

 hitherto considered the very finest. Ah ! what 

 trouble would this hint have saved the writer 

 when he began to make flies. The beginner will 

 make twice as many turns with the silk as the 

 skilful adept, and his silk therefore must be of the 

 finest. 



Aim first at neatness hot at strength. Adjust 

 the hackle to the size of the hook, by observing 

 that the fibre, or half the feather, is the exact 

 length of the hook from head to bend. The 

 same of the feather for the wing. As a rule, 

 make the wing exactly the length of the hook. 

 Afterwards you will vary a little, as judgment 

 shall direct. By making all the flies in this list 

 in turn you will acquire dexterity in imita- 

 tion ; but a beginner would do well to take the 

 easiest first, as No; 30, and then No. 27, and so 

 proceed to the Duns and Spinners after a little 

 practice. 



