FOR FLY DRESSING. 19 



to that of the body of the fly. As an example, for 

 the palest olives use cream-coloured tying-silk, and 

 for the darker olives the various shades of yellow. 



The numerous recipes given in general angling 

 books for preparing transparent wax, are, without 

 exception, unsuccessful : the wax so prepared is 

 either brittle and hence difficult to get to adhere to 

 the silk, or it is too soft, and rapidly becomes greasy 

 in use. Ordinary rod-maker's wax is the best, and 

 in dressing flies with delicate-coloured bodies it 

 should be rendered as nearly colourless as possible 

 by continually pulling it out into thin strips and 

 working them up together. A small bottle of 

 varnish made by dissolving pure shellac in spirits of 

 wine will practically complete the list of materials. 



As to the implements required, although not an 

 absolute necessity, a vice is a great help, especially 

 in making the very small flies. No one, amateur 

 or professional, after once experiencing the advan- 

 tages of having the hook rigidly held by a pro- 

 cess which leaves both hands free, would ever 

 revert to the old and uncomfortable plan of holding 

 the bend of the hook between the thumb and 

 forefinger of the left hand throughout the opera- 

 tion of tying. A really good serviceable vice, 

 however, is not easily procured, as those usually 

 made and sold in the tackle shops for the purpose 

 are faulty in design, and inferior in construction 

 and material ; the jaws, instead of being made of 

 the finest and hardest cast steel, are of case-har- 



