FLIES AND FLY FISHING. 93 



CHAPTEE IX. 



HOW TO TIE A FLY. 



TYING VERSUS BUYING FLIES ADVICE TO BUYERS 

 AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL TYERS WOMEN TYERS 

 NEATNESS SIZE COMPARING FLIES PREPARING 

 HACKLES MATERIALS DROP FLIES TYING IN WIN- 

 TER SILKS HOOKS MAKING A FLY THE PROCESS 



DESCRIBED A WlNGED FLY A BUZZ FLY TYING BY 



WATER SIDE. 



For every man who ties his own flies, there are hundreds 

 who always buy them ; and there are few who have either 

 time or inclination to do the former, even if they pos- 

 sessed the necessary amount of skill ; but everyone who 

 takes a pleasure in fly fishing ought to be able to tie a 

 fly, if it is only as a pattern for others to be dressed 

 from, otherwise he is obliged to put up with any imita- 

 tions he can get hold of, very often not bearing the 

 slightest resemblance to the natural flies, and his success 

 is a matter of luck, not skill. 



