256 FLIES AND KNOTS. 



at the bend be firm, and when the material is carried 

 back, the body is finished with a couple of turns of the 

 silk, a hackle is then introduced under them and firmly 

 ly secured. "Wind the hackle round the hook at the 

 place where it is inserted, and when it is sufficiently 

 thick, and the fibres which constitute the legs stand out 

 well, tie it down. Prepare your wings by stripping oft 1 

 the requisite number of fibres, and tie them on, either 

 single or divided, and finish off. To make a buzz-fly, 

 that is, one with the hackles the whole length of the 

 body instead of only at the shoulder, insert a hackle at 

 the bend at the same time with the body and tail, and 

 twist it round the body after that is put on, and fasten it 

 at the shoulder. The wings are sometimes laid on point- 

 ing up the shank, and afterward bent down and brought 

 in their places. And thus, if any one desires, he may 

 make a fly. 



Few people in this stage of civilization dress their own 

 trout flies, and although skill in the art will enable you 

 to make a better selection in your purchases, it is rarely 

 useful at the riverside. The better plan is to have a great 

 variety, keep them safe from moths by the use of a linen 

 bag, and fish often enough to prevent the gut's decaying. 

 I have flies that have been in my possession for fifteen 

 years, and yet seem to be as good as ever. You would 

 require a knapsack to keep all the articles requisite to 

 dress every fly, and would waste half your day in the 

 operation. Nor is it yet settled that by imitating the 

 natural insect you gain any advantage ; one half the most 

 skillful fishermen assert that the fly, as for instance, the 

 scarlet ibis, need resemble nothing on earth, or in the 



