110 FLY-FISHIKG A^D FLY-MAKING. 



FLIES WITH GUT OR QUILL BODIES AND SCALE 

 WINGS. 



Some little time since, a long letter appeared in 

 the English "Fishing Gazette/ 7 headed: "Materials 

 for Artificial Fies," from a prominent English sportsman, 

 in the course of which, he said : " What is really re- 

 quired is a substance which combines the lightness and 

 buoyancy of the feather in the air as well as in the 

 water, with the toughness and power of the quill to re- 

 tain its shape, together with the pliability, transparency 

 and texture of the gold-beater's skin, and the property 

 of being easily stained or dyed ; and this material, as far 

 as I know, has yet to be discovered." This set me think- 

 ing, and nearly a year ago I discovered a material which I 

 denominate " Scale," inasmuch as it is in laminae 

 not because it is a fish scale ; much less is it similar to the 

 Macnee pike scale, which latter becomes dry and brittle 

 after a little using. I claim that this material absolutely 

 fulfils the requirements laid down, and I have entrusted 

 C. F. Orvis, of Manchester, Vt. by far the best practical 

 fly tyer I know of with the preparation of these scale- 

 winged flies. When the scale wings are applied to gut 

 or the famous quill bodies, a fly is formed of superlative 

 imitation, and from the durability of the materials em- 

 ployed, it is practically indestructible by the teeth of fish. 



By careful experimenting, it has been found that the 

 following flies are the most suitable in pattern for the 

 material. Figure 66 gives a rough idea of the style of 

 fly which, if not so beautiful to the user's eye as the 

 feathered lure, is at least quite as faithful to the original 

 insect. 



