THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 117 



game birds, such as the grouse, pheasant, partridge, &c., 

 choosing them small from over the back and under the 

 wings. All hackles can be heightened in colour by dyeing, 

 and those used in the manufacture of salmon flies undergo 

 this process as a rule. 



HaiP adapted for fly dressing is principally got from the 

 swine's belly, and is called pig's wool. It is a little coarse, 

 and cannot well be used in the smaller or fine flies. It 

 may be dyed any required colour. It stands the water 

 remarkably well. Hair is obtained also from the badger ; 

 and that taken from the Angora sheep, called mohair, is 

 very much employed to make the bodies of small trout 

 flies it is long and of a soft silky texture, dyes well, and 

 retains its colour in water. 



Handle of gaff or landing net is generally made from a 

 stout, straight piece of ash, hickory, or from bamboo cane. 

 The latter, being easily made into a hollow cylinder, is 

 convenient for carrying a spare top or two for a fly rod. 

 But the solid handle of stiff wood is the best, as it is useful 

 to lean upon when the angler is wading, and to assist him 



LANDING HANDLE CLOSED. 



LANDING HANDLE OPEN. 



when going over slippery stones, and for this purpose it 

 should be shod with a small strong steel spike and crook. 

 Many of these handles are telescopic, to make them handy 

 for carrying. The handle of a landing net should be 

 not less than five feet long, as often the fish has to be 



