11 



feather of macaw, mallard, or any other to suit 

 the taste or colour of the fly ; you may tie on 

 an ostrich harl, or peacock's harl, head like 

 Plate I., where the tying silk may be seen 

 hanging: the three flies on this plate, which 

 are correctly engraved, will be found most 

 valuable to the young beginner; and it is an 

 expert method for the salmon fisher, when in a 

 hurry, to make a fly or two for immediate use. 



When you wish to mix plain wings without 

 dividing, tie them on first at the end of the 

 shank, and form the head like No. 1 in this 

 plate, which I think is the neatest of any, and 

 suits best in rivers not very full of water. If 

 you notice this plate correctly, it will be seen 

 to correspond with the shape of the natural 

 dragon fly ; and as this fly, of various hues, is 

 reared at the bottom of the water, it must be 

 an alluring bait for the salmon and large trout ; 

 for when it first leaves the element of its birth, 

 and proceeds to the banks of the river in a 

 very feeble state, directly it receives strength it 

 commences skimming the surface, preying upon 

 the insects flying in the air at this time, and, 

 when it comes weakly out of the water, the 

 fish, no doubt, take it freely. 



