FLIES 141 



This idea has been fostered by writers for 

 centuries. 



" To frame the little animal, provide 

 All the gay hues that wait on female pride, 

 Let Nature guide thee ; sometimes golden wire 

 The shining bellies of the fly require ; 

 The peacock plumes thy tackle must not fail, 

 Nor the dear purchase of the sable's tail, 

 Each gaudy bird some slender tribute brings, 

 And lends the growing insect proper wings ; 

 Silks of all colours must their aid impart, 

 And every fur promote the fisher's art. 

 So the gay lady, with expensive care, 

 Borrows the pride of land, of sea, and air ; 

 Furs, pearls and plumes, the glittering thing displays, 

 Dazzles our eyes, and easy hearts betrays." l 



In fact the materials required for a beginner 

 are of the simplest. A sovereign or two will 

 purchase all the silks, furs, tinsels and feathers 

 that are necessary. Others are acquired as 

 time goes on. A discarded fly will often yield 

 a topping to give sheen to a new one. The 

 poultry yard will make its contribution ; friends 

 will send their offerings, and in time the col- 

 lection of feathers so acquired will have a 

 special value in its owner's eyes. Like fish- 

 ing, fly-tying cannot perhaps be learnt wholly 

 from books ; a lesson or two from a fly -tying 



1 John Gay, Rural Sports, Canto 1. 



