THE MAKING OF AN ARTIFICIAL FLY 



plume, except the small tip portion, which should 

 be held tight to the body of the fly. Then wind the 

 tip portion in position with winding silk, taking two 

 turns and a half hitch. For extra safety, tighten 

 the tip portion with the left thumb. Then grasp 

 the quill end with the right thumb and finger (or 

 with the tweezers, if you use it) and wind the plume 

 round in front of the wings, then back of the wings, 

 and again as many times as necessary. 



Some hackles are required to be scant ; others are 

 bushy, long and full. In winding the hackle 

 feather round, take care to have the glossy side in 

 front to face the eye of the hook. 



There are times when two small hackles are bet- 

 ter than a large one, if the legs are required to be 

 quite short. Long fibered hackles cut short are 

 too stumpy and blunt. 



During the winding process the hackle plume 

 must never leave the fingers or pliers; for if left 

 to itself it will unwind like a spring. When the 

 last turn is made, force the quill end of the plume 

 by the little finger under the body toward the bend 

 of the hook; then secure tightly with winding silk 

 by means of two or more turns and half hitch. 



If the tie-off seems to be not quite secure, and a 

 stiff plume quill is more needful for a stout tie-off, 

 it is wise to put on a piece of wax the size of a pin- 

 head over the tie. Then varnish, using a fine- 

 pointed sable-brush, as used by artists. 



121 



