THE ART OF FLY TYING. 2$ 



wings made from feathers. I have found fish- 

 scales taken from the shad to make the best 

 wings. During the season collect as many 

 scales as you desire, freshly taken from the fish, 

 and dry them separately on blotting paper, as 

 there is a mucilaginous substance adhering to 

 them that, if they are allowed to dry in contact 

 with each other it will cause them to adhere to 

 one another. Cut from a piece of card board a 

 pattern for the wing, which should be pear- 

 shape with an elongated point. Lay this pat- 

 tern on two or three of the dried scales and hold 

 it in position with the plyers. You can then 

 readily cut them the exact shape required. 



When ready to tie in position on the fly, dip 

 the points of the wings in water, which imme- 

 diately causes them to become soft and pliable, 

 and they can then be tied on precisely the same 

 as a feather. These wings are very durable, as 

 the property of softening as soon as water 

 touches them prevents the fish from breaking 

 them off. 



