THE HACKLE AND DUBBING. 69 



In making large fly-hooks, when it is desirable that 

 the wings stand well apart from each other, I sometimes 

 repeat this part of the process, recrossing the silk thread 

 betwixt them. Having cut off the superfluous ends of 

 feather, I now form the head. This is done, simply by 

 continuing to wrap the silk over the extremity of the 

 hook shank, above the wings, until what remains of the 

 fag portions or roots is concealed and made secure. I 

 now bring down the thread and fasten it, with a simple 

 hitch-knot, underneath. 



The wings being finished, I have only to complete 

 the fly, by the affixing and laying on of the hackle or 

 dubbing ; these materials sufficing, either in their 

 separate or joint capacity, to represent both the legs 

 and body of the insect. In the case of simply attaching 

 and running on a hackle, I require, first of all, to lift 

 one of the assorted feathers of this description previously 

 placed within reach, and laying the root end towards 

 the bend of the hook,, so that the fibred or unstript 

 portion has its position in immediate conjunction with 

 the wings at the point of fastening, to cast round it the 

 dressing thread already employed, having carefully 

 re-waxed it for the purpose. I then continue the 

 wrapping so far down the shank of the hook as it is 

 my intention to bring the hackle. This done, I take 

 hold with my nippers of the fine end of the feather, and 

 commence, close under the wings of the fly, to wind it 

 on. Four or five turns generally suffice to fetch it 

 down to the desired point, when, having cast the silk 

 thread round it twice, for security, I either twitch off 

 the tip with my nippers, or cut it close with the scissors. 

 A succession of hitch-knots, or what is preferable, the 

 common whip fastening, concludes the process. 



Hackles, in the case of the trouting fly, may either 



