80 TROUTING FLIES. 



especially below the hackle, and as it approaches the 

 bend of the hook. It may be used of various colours, 

 but by far the most accordant and captivating when 

 exposed are yellow and orange. Crimson, blue, green, 

 and even white thread can be employed however with- 

 out detriment to the sport, on many occasions, while 

 dull, mixed hues are seldom or never rejected. 



And now, with regard to the hackle itself. This, I 

 consider, a matter of some little importance, not as con- 

 cerns its exact tint or shade of colour (for along with 

 what is unquestionably black or unquestionably brown, 

 regard may be paid justly enough, though in a less 

 degree, to those more dubious hues denominated by 

 anglers, ginger, chocolate, dun, grizzle, &c.) but with 

 respect to its shape, fibre, and quality. These points I 

 cannot help reckoning worthy of some measure of con- 

 sideration. Disregarding them, the neatest-handed fly- 

 dresser will produce but a clumsy piece of craft-work, 

 uninviting to the eye of the angler, and thereby, as a 

 matter of consequence, seeing it will be used with dis- 

 trust, unlikely to do much execution among trout. 



The selection of the hackle, then, requires considerable 

 care and knowledge. Not one cock in ten walking the 

 farm-yard yields feathers of this description, truly 

 available to the angler. They are generally found' to 

 be too stiff and long in the fibre, seldom prettily tapered, 

 and when colour is brought into consideration, per- 

 petually at a discount. The annexed is a sample of 

 what may be reckoned, in point of shape, a good trout- 

 ing hackle. 



