n8 THE SALMON. 



feathers employed present a gorgeous spectacle 

 quite unlike the sober colours of the creatures 

 which inhabit the slimy depths of salt or fresh 

 water ; but they must remember that the confused 

 mass soaked in the water is totally different from the 

 bright hues with which, dry and finished, it comes 

 from the tyer's hands ; besides, except that of the 

 jay, which is always used in the breast, and the 

 golden pheasant, which generally somewhat pro- 

 trudes, the brightest feathers are on the back of 

 the fly, and, if it float properly, concealed from the 

 vision of the fish. For myself, I cannot tie a 

 fly I tried formerly, and partially succeeded, 

 but I can buy infinitely better ones at a very 

 moderate cost, and in general the fisherman on the 

 water will, for a trifling consideration, especially if 

 you are genial in manner and skilful in practice, 

 supply you with far better flies than the most 

 skilful amateur can produce, or money purchase. 

 Still, I by no means decry the art ; it is most 

 useful, and to those whose time is sufficiently at 

 their own command I strongly recommend the 

 acquirement of it. The best way is to take lessons 

 at one of the London or Dublin shops : the fee 

 is, I believe, generally a guinea. 



To my mind, a knowledge of the size and per- 

 vading hue of the fly is much more important than 



