76 ELY-FISHING AND FLY-MAKING. 



and nip off a sufficient number to form a bunch like 

 Figure 35. Now, place them on the shank end of the 

 hook, holding them in position between the forefinger, 

 thumb and shank, and take a quick turn of silk over 

 them , then a half hitch to enable you to let go of your 

 work. See if it is straight and symmetrical ; if not, 

 gently set it right ; if it is, reapply the forefinger and 



Fig. 36. ALEXANDRA FLY. 



thumb and take three or four more turns and tie with 

 two half hitches. Touch it with varnish and your fly is 

 finished (see fig. 36), and may thus be described: 



Name. Alexandra. 



Body. Silver tinsel. 



Wings. Peacock herl. 



Hackle or Legs. Black rooster. 



Tail. Two dark fibers. 



The learner, now that he has his material and tools be- 

 fore him, might as well make a dozen or so of these flies, 

 to better prepare him for the next lesson. They will not 

 be wasted, as they are invaluably good killers in this coun- 

 try, especially when the fish are at ground or midwater 

 feeding. 



Our next task is to make a "Palmer." This time we are 



