PRACTICAL FLY-F1SHEU. 3 



Some useful feathers may be found among the 

 Poultry of a farm yard ; particularly the hackles, or 

 neck feathers ; but the feathers of Poultry and Pigeons, 

 though good in colour, are generally tao strong in their 

 fibre for small fly-making. The Grey Goose furnishes a 

 good large bloa, both from the neck and under the 

 wing. 



Dubbing or fur, I do not much recommend, and 

 rarely use, as the Ephemera, or Water-flies have mostly 

 hard, scaly bodies, which are best represented by silk, 

 which should be procured of all colours, and care taken 

 to select it of the finest description, and to use it well 

 waxed. 



Some flies, however, are undoubtedly better made 

 with fur bodies ; the principal furs necessary are Harems 

 face, ear, and neck ; Squirrel, Martin, Mole, and 

 Water Rat, and in Rabbit 1 s whiskers, Mohair of differ- 

 ent colours, and the long hairs of a Sable or Fitchett's 

 tail. 



Ostrich herl is an excellent material for the bodies 

 of several flies, and may be procured or dyed of almost 

 any colour. The tail of the Peacock also furnishes a 

 beautiful herl, suitable for the body of many flies and 

 palmers. 



Hackles of all sizes, from half an inch to two 

 inches long, and of all colours, (black, red, red and 

 black, or furnace duns of various kinds,) should be pro- 

 cured for making legs to winged flies. Sooty or grizzled 

 hackles may be found natural, but some colours, as 

 yellow, green, blue, brown, purple, must be dyed; of 

 which more anon. 



The hackles for legs should be very small, but it is 



