HOW TO TIE FLIES 153 



tractive to the fish as some of the finished prod- 

 ucts of the expert artist. For instance, the blue 

 jay will furnish blue feathers of wonderful color 

 and texture, as will also the kingfisher. (You 

 remember "The Blue Jay Feather," published 

 in March, 1915, Outdoor Life.} We have com- 

 mon birds with bright red feathers ; all you have 

 to do is to keep your eyes open when walking in 

 the country and you can pick up feathers that 

 will supply your needs. A friend of mine is 

 owned by a parrot, (I speak with care) and the 

 feathers her master drops are brought to me ; as 

 a result many a beautiful little fly finds its way 

 into my book. Then, too, if you wish to go into 

 the matter somewhat extensively you can pur- 

 chase a white cock and from his neck secure 

 enough hackle to supply your tool-box with reds, 

 grays, browns, etc., for with Diamond Dyes you 

 can easily dye to the required color. Of course 

 dyed colors are not as durable as natural ones, 

 but the chances are that the colors will outlast 

 the fly. I have little trouble. Last year while 

 dyeing I happened to produce a few bunches of 

 a wonderful purple color; and, do you know, 

 they made up into flies unlike any natural insect 

 I have ever seen, but those flies took trout on 

 bright days. All of which proves what I have 



