452 



THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN 



FIG. 70. FLY-MAKER'S TWEEZERS. 



and the points of the herls should be nearest the bend. Now take the- 

 free end of the tying silk and wind it in wide spirals up the shank of the 

 hook, securing it temporarily by passing it between the gut and hook, 

 as in a niche, or by attaching the pair of spring pliers (readily obtainable 

 at any tackle maker's) before mentioned. The best kind of tweezers 

 are here shown (Fig. 70). This procedure is simply for the purpose 

 of retaining the waxed silk unentangled 

 with the feathers, to which of course it 

 would otherwise readily adhere. Now 

 carefully take the two herls between th& 

 right forefinger and thumb, and wind 

 them helically to the end of the shank, 

 release the silk and secure the herls by 

 a couple of turns, retaining the 

 silk as before. Next, in a precisely 

 similar way, wind the gold tinsel in 

 broad coils to the end, release the 

 silk thread again and fasten the tin- 

 sel with two turns and a half hitch. 

 The stage at which the fly has now 

 arrived is shown in Fig. 71. 



The quill end of the hackle should 

 now be wound slowly and tightly 

 along the shank, as was done with 

 the gold tinsel. This is done best 

 by tying a waxed thread tightly to 

 the quill end, and then winding the 

 hackle, fastening as before with two or three turns of the silk and 

 two half hitches. The loose end of the silk may 

 now be carefully snipped off, and any other in- 

 equalities that may mar the symmetry of the fly 

 may be reduced. The production should bear the 

 appearance of Fig. 72, and the fly is done except 

 varnishing. The varnish need only be applied to 

 the head, or part last finished. I always whip the 

 hook securely and varnish it, and then attach fur 

 and feather. Thus the whipping is waterproof and 

 lasts longer, I find, than if otherwise made. 



The fly thus described should be made in a con- 

 siderable number by the learner before attempting 

 a winged fly. The making of a palmer stands half- 

 PALMER'COMPLKTE. **? *& the progress of the angler towards his 



FIG. 71. PALMEB NEARLY COMPLETED. 



