336 A BOOK ON ANGLING 



fly tying. In some flies, however, especially in the Dee flies, 

 these wings are tied on so as to spread out apart. It is needless 

 to say that they must set at the same angle precisely, and this 

 the tyro will find not easy to accomplish. See that the slips 

 correspond exactly. Settle the length carefully, and nip the butt 

 of each feather, and if a tie of silk be lapped round it the tyer 

 will be able to make it set easier ; then tie the slips on at the 

 right angle, one at a time, and after tying on a dozen or two, 

 and making as many awful abortions, he may hope to get some 

 idea of the manner. If they are to run in slips or fibres, cut the 

 slips from feathers out of right and left wings if possible, and 

 they will lie and show the better ; lay the slips upon one 

 another on either side, with the best sides outwards, between 

 the left forefinger and thumb, as in trout-wings, taking care 

 that the points of the feathers properly correspond in length. 

 When you have as many slips and fibres as you require, having 

 measured and judged carefully the length of wing you need, 

 at the right spot pinch the butts of the feathers together with 

 the right thumb-nail and forefinger so as to get the butt of the 

 wing compressed into the smallest possible space preparatory 

 to tying on. Lay this point of the feathers to the bare place 

 in the hook already spoken of, and take two turns with the 

 tying silk, which you can then keep in its place by the weight 

 of the spring tweezers ; then relinquish the wing, which up to 

 this time you have held between the left finger and thumb, 

 and see how it sets. Should any of the feathers have turned 

 or not set well, you must work the wing about until they are 

 righted, or you may have to slacken the silk, or even, if things 

 are very bad, to rearrange the feathers, or even to shear off the 

 offending fibres. No special directions can be given in such a 

 case ; practice alone will enable the fly tyer to overcome such 

 difficulties. When all sets right, take three or four sharp turns 

 with the silk, and then a half hitch. If you want the fly to be 

 very firm and strong in the wing, touch the tie now with a drop 

 of varnish, and lay it aside until dry. 



If an under wing as well as an over wing be used, of course 

 it must be tied on first, and then the over wing. Cheek feathers 

 that is, short feathers, as kingfisher or small jungle cock, 

 which are often put on at the shoulder on either side of the 

 wing to give additional brilliance to the fly or toppings over the 

 wing are always put on after the main portion of the wing, 

 and both are often very troublesome to get to set well. The 

 cheek feathers will sometimes turn any way but the right when 



