SYMMETRY IN FLIES. 25 



the first dozen hooks he comes across. The test is, of course, best 

 performed on hooks all of one size. Many are rendered worthless by 

 too deep an incision of the barbing knife into the hook- wire. In others 

 the barb and the hook point are needlessly long. Again, the second bend 

 of the hook, i.e., the part of the bend nearest the point of the hook, is 

 where a long experience has shown more hooks fail than in any 

 other part. Correct temper, more than amount of metal there, is the 

 best security against weakness. Sometimes, however, the bend of the 

 hook itself is altogether too narrow, in which case the hook may neither 

 catch hold, nor hold when it catches. 



That the whipping of gut-loop to hook should be efficient and the 

 whole fly strongly put together is evident ; but neatness and symmetry 

 are often somewhat lost in trying to secure strength. 



Too much or too thick material is used in the item of tying-silk 

 especially, and too little attention is paid to tapering the ends of the loop 

 and placing the tying-silk closely and evenly upon them. Put in a spiral 

 form, or with some coils over others, and the fly falls to pieces in no time. 



We must remember that the strain of the fish is borne by the hook 

 and gut. The measure of the strength required in the other parts of the 

 fly is the wear and tear of casting, of playing it in the water, and of the 

 fish's jaws. In actual experience the student will be astonished to find with 

 what little tying-silk, skilfully used and of the right sort, a fly will wear 

 to the very end of the life of its constituent materials. And this is the 

 never failing reward of dressing after a proper method and with proper 

 materials. 



How often can one take a purchased fly and twist the wings, almost 

 without effort, right round to the body ! Yet this test may be pressed too 

 far ; for whilst it is possible to so tightly and firmly compact a fly that the 

 very fibres of the wing shall first give way, such a degree of compacted 

 strength is by no means requisite in a well-tied fly. It is enough if, after 

 an ordinary amount of pressure, you find that the wings set on by 

 the method described in this book still hold their position. 



By " symmetry," I mean proportion of shape, and to some extent of 

 material. This quality is essential in a good fly. Even in " Exaggera- 

 tions," though in them, as the name implies, we seem to set aside 



