A VICE AND ITS VICES 195 



possessed of it, but I forget, nor is it a matter 

 of much importance ; but it is by far the best 

 description of vice which I have ever seen for the 

 purpose for which it is intended. 



If the amateur is dependent upon the assistance 

 to be derived from a vice, he is considerably 

 handicapped, unless he carries one about with 

 him, if he wishes to tie up a fly by the river-side ; 

 nor is such a vice of any use unless it is fixed 

 firmly to a table. To add a table to one's stock 

 of fishing impedimenta would be inconvenient, so 

 I counsel his learning to use his fingers. I say 

 * learning to use his fingers,' because there is a 

 right way and a wrong, even in so apparently 

 simple a matter as holding a hook. It makes all 

 the difference, though, how it is held, and the 

 difficulties of dressing a fly thereon can be very 

 materially increased or lessened, according as to 

 whether it is placed in the one exact spot between 

 the forefinger and thumb of the left hand, and so 

 held in the best way to work on it, or bungled 

 into the more fleshy part. The aid of a profes- 

 sional tutor in such little matters is of great 

 value. 



Nothing but the best and finest silk should 

 be used for tying. It is not an easy matter to 

 procure good silk. That known as gossamer, 

 made by Messrs. Pearsall, is very good, as I 

 have before remarked ; but I have now and 



