312 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



albus) of her embryo brood ; and, after lecturing him 

 on the enormity of such a proceeding, and begging a 

 share of the spoils, we started for the place of 

 rendezvous. 



The evening after my first day's sport was not an 

 idle one, for though the body inclined to rest, full well 

 I know that on my exertions in fly-tying depended the 

 sport of to-morrow. To make a good fly requires not 

 only skill, but patience and knowledge, with a correct 

 taste in the blending of colours, a strong hand to make 

 secure work, and the employment of the best materials. 

 How frequently indifferent hooks and gut are purchased 

 because they are a trifle cheaper ! but if we could fore- 

 see the severe ordeal that may some day be in store 

 for our tackle, and the splendid fish that may be lost 

 through this parsimony, we should be better suited 

 with half the quantity at double the cost. Your 

 feathers should, if possible, be fresh, with the pile un- 

 broken, your furs and mohair uncut by moths, and 

 your silk the strongest, yet the finest, that can be pro- 

 cured. Of course, many of your principal feathers 

 will require to be purchased ; but if the fisherman is 

 also a shooter, there are few game birds that will not 

 afford him choice materials ; so that during autumn 

 and winter, when his gun instead of rod is his com- 

 panion, he can daily make additions to his treasures, 

 which will serve him in pursuing the sister amusement. 



Everything which makes deception more alluring 

 should be resorted to by an angler ; for let his ex- 

 perience be ever so great, he will always find oppor- 

 tunities to regret his deficiencies. Where all depends 

 so much upon chance, it is impossible to see the dis- 

 advantages under which you may frequently labour, 



