ON EYED-HOOKS. 63 



If this second hackle is to be all put on close 

 behind the shoulder hackle, turn it now and fasten 

 in the point. If, on the other hand, it is to be used 

 for ribbing the body, leave it projecting to the 

 right or over the head of the fly, and proceed to 

 prepare the body. Undoubtedly the very best 

 materials for the body of a green drake are either 

 the thin maize, such as is used for making Mexican 

 cigarettes, or a very thin strip of wheaten straw. 

 Whichever is used, first soak it in warm water 

 until quite soft, and then cut out 

 of it a slip of the form shown in 

 the sketch (fig. 53). With the left Fig. 53. 



thumb and forefinger apply it under the hook, so 

 that the join will run up the back of the fly, and, 

 pressing it tightly so as to make it lie round the 

 wire of the hook, fasten it securely at the shoulder 

 with three very tight turns of the tying-silk, rib 

 the body down evenly with the tying-silk, and take 

 two secure turns at the tail-end of the fly (fig. 54). 



Fi g- 54 



