26 THE SALMON FLY. 



some of our usual notions of symmetry, we must retain that general 

 proportion of shape, without which the fly would not fish properly. This 

 consideration supplies the key to what is meant by "symmetry" as a 

 general quality. Symmetry is sought, not for mere beauty of appearance, 

 but for its value as an element of allurement. We want balance of part 

 in a fly, so that it shall pose in the water and not loll about so that it shall 

 advance and retire when required to do so steadily and gracefully, like a 

 finished dancer, and not pitch like a vessel in a head wind, plunge like a 

 rocking-horse, or hang on one side (it should not, in fact, hang at all) 

 from increasing weakness at the juncture with the line. We do not want 

 it to wobble ; or, as in the case of extra long gut-loops and all sorts of 

 metal loops,* to take upon itself the performance of any movement which 

 we cannot provide for or control at our pleasure. A " skirting " fly, too 

 i.e., one that from an overgrown head sheds in its train a stream of 

 subaqueous bubbles of light is an abomination, for " skirting " means 

 scaring. 



All these things, good and bad, depend on "symmetry." For the 

 greatest success, every element of attraction that has been selected should be 

 displayed to the fish. This can only be ensured in a fly that fishes 

 properly when in the water, and a fly fishes properly only when dressed 

 properly and mounted properly. Each feather, each strip, and each fibre 

 must keep its place and show itself there, as the wings, in all alluring 

 naturalness of manner, expand and close in regular order. What is the 

 use of my putting red and blue Swan, Teal, and Canadian Duck in my 

 wings if the fly " rides " so badly or wobbles so much, that a sombre 

 strip of Turkey or Bustard covers these brightening constituents, and 

 hides them from the ever watchful eye that so dotes on a " bit of blue " 

 or speckly black and white ? 



No ; if your fly is not symmetrical it will not obey you, and if all 

 your tackle does not obey your brain, art and science are banished from 

 your sport. Away goes skill in comes chance ! You may put your 

 wings, for example, in the constraining embrace of two strips of feather 

 with a "topping" above, and two good sides of Jungle-fowl below, but 

 all this will not avail to keep the rebels in order under water. The tail, 



* N.B. " Metal loops " signifies eyed hookg. 



