Concerning Flies 233 



procurable. The two main points are, To 

 lay on the fur with a very sparing hand, 

 and if you do this, the second point almost 

 follows as a natural consequence, that you 

 always can see plainly the yellow tying 

 silk, running in ribs down the body of the 

 fly. It makes a unique and splendid body. 

 In fact, without the body, I should regard 

 the fly itself, as being less worthy of the 

 high place I have accorded it in my list 

 of " hackled flies, " misnamed spiders in 

 Scotland. 



The Hackle. 



This is taken from the small soft feathers 

 inside the wing of the water-hen. 



Practical fishermen and fly dressers will 

 see at a glance, that there is a great deal 

 in common between these two flies, and I 

 think that you have only got to look at the 

 natural " Blue Dun " when it first makes 

 its appearance, leaden and dull of hue ; 

 and, again, when the little "Iron Blue" 

 puts in an appearance, to account for the 

 fact that, as during the whole fly-fishing 

 season, one or other of these flies are 

 generally to be found on our " Waters " 

 and " Eivers ; " these imitations, therefore, 

 should always have a place on the fly-cast 

 of every practical wet-fly fisherman. If 



