FLY-FISHIXG AKD FLY-MAKING. 



TOOLS FOB FLY-MAKING. 



Having settled upon the hooks, the next consideration 

 is the tools for fly-making. A great many of the old- 

 time fly tiers use only their fingers, but the extreme 

 delicacy of some of the smaller midges, and the intricacy 

 of many of the chief larger flies, render the supple- 



Fig. 27. STILETTO. 



mentary aid of the vise and pincers extremely con- 

 venient. Besides, I believe that it is quite impossible 

 for an adult to learn to tie a good, strong, neat, intricate 

 trout and salmon fly by his fingers alone. The less 

 handling a fly receives, the better for its appearance and 

 workmanlike strength and integrity. 



Figure 26 represents the best form of vise. I do not 

 know if it can be bought in this country in any numbers. 

 I can, however, put any one in the way of 

 procuring the article if he will write to 

 me. The engraving on page 65 fully 

 explains its use, and needs no further 

 comment. 



Figure 27 is a stiletto exceedingly useful 

 in arranging feathers, pricking out the 

 wool or mohair bodies, undoing knots in 

 the silk, etc., etc., and will, as the tyro 

 proceeds, be looked on as a valuable assist- 

 ant. The same may be said also of Figure 28, represent- 

 ing spring pliers for holding whipping silk or tinsel, 



Fiff. 28. 



SPRING PLIERS. 



