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the triple loop thus formed, wrapping the three 

 turns close, and drawing the end tight. Clip off the 

 ends of silk, and the hackle is finished. In the same 

 manner as directed for forming the body of the 

 plumelets, frequently called herls, of a peacock's fea- 

 ther, may those of an ostrich, or any other bird, be 

 used When wool, fur, or floss, is used for "dubbing" 

 a word which, though frequently applied to the whole 

 materials of fly-making, means strictly, that portion 

 only of which the body is formed it is spun round 

 the silk, which ought to be well waxed, in a similar 

 manner, and gradually thickened where the body is 

 required to be most full. The first essays of the 

 learner ought to be made on a rather large hook, and 

 when he has acquired something like a neatness of 

 manipulation, let him. dress a hackle for use, upon 

 a No. 6 hook, and from that proceed to the smaller 

 sizes. 



To dress a fly with wings is a more complicated 

 process than to dress a hackle; and to finish it 

 neatly requires more skill. Having the feathers 

 intended for the wings, and the dubbing for the 

 body, prepared, and lying conveniently within reach, 

 hold the hook with the bend between the fore 

 finger and thumb of the left hand, and the back of 

 the shank upwards, and with a well waxed thread, 

 about twenty inches long, take five or six turns, 

 towards the end of the shank. Place your gut 

 on the inner side of the shank, holding the end be- 

 tween the finger and thumb of your left hand, and 



