TROUT FLY-MAKING. 69 



the outer coat, etc., etc.; all ought to find a place. Of 

 course, the best of gut (not omitting the ordinary waste 

 ends of the hank) must be included. 



At the time when Blacker wrote his much overrated 

 book on fly-making, there were no Judson's or Diamond 

 dyes, and naturally he resorted to such as were avail- 

 able. Now, I cannot overestimate the value of the 

 Diamond preparations for most of the uses required of 

 them by the fly-maker. Be careful, however, to buy 



Fig. 29. BUNCH OF FEATHERS FOB DYEING. 



those sold for silk, and following the directions exactly, 

 or the result will not be good. Figure 29 shows a bunch 

 of hackles prepared for dyeing. 



If one does not desire to go to the trouble of "bunch- 

 ing " the feathers, they may be dyed all together, and 

 after being washed and pressed between a dry cloth, to 

 remove superfluous moisture, they can be dried so as to 

 re-establish their fibers in this way. Get a stiff paper 

 bag and put the feathers in it loosely ; then, leaving the 

 mouth open, stand the bag on a moderately hot stove. 

 Of course, they will very soon get warm and you must 

 watch that they do not scorch but the bag will be filled 

 with warm air, and should now be taken and shaken 

 with energy. This must be repeated at intervals till the 



