AMERICAN TROUT-STREAM INSECTS 



for fly-tying, is the best thing to have. Any recep- 

 tacle in which you place feathers should be opened 

 and examined frequently, when not in use, so that 

 ravages by these little pests may be curtailed and 

 destroyed. In addition, moth powder should be 

 sprinkled over everything in the box so often that 

 the strong odor is ever present. 



VARIOUS OTHER MATERIALS 



The large department store's embroidery counter 

 is a mine of wealth for the fly-tier. There may be 

 found nearly everything you want in the way of 

 plain and floss silks, gold and silver wire, raffia 

 grass, and wool. 



To begin with, you need a big spool (1500 yards) 

 of black silk for winding. It must be a combina- 

 tion of fineness with strength. No cheap silk will 

 suffice for the purpose. As I am satisfied with the 

 silk I use, I give the name. It is Holland Com- 

 pany's Prime Black, No. 00. Upon this winding 

 silk depends a good deal the fly's being strong and 

 neat. 



You will need a varied selection of smaller spools 

 of colored silks ; in fact, nearly every shade of color 

 is desirable. These may be got in fifty-yard spools. 

 They should be twisted silks of various thicknesses, 

 and also selected colors of floss silks. 



For the body windings, wool is of greater service 



than silk, as it retains its bright colors when wet. 



no 



