40 THE SALMON FLY. 



In the more elaborate "tails" choice may be made of every thin-fibred 

 wing-feather in our collection, so long as they are used in moderation. 



Spreading tails, sometimes flat, sometimes in set-sail fashion, 

 resembling closed butterflies' wings, are effective and telling. Tails 

 may be " built" like wings, but- with the fibres pointing upward. As a 

 formal example, portions of yellow Macaw, Canadian Duck, Peacock 

 wing, and powdered blue Macaw, all curving in one direction, with a 

 similar set to back them, taken, of course, from the other side of feathers, 

 make a grand mixture. But when this mixture is brought into requisi- 

 tion, the flies should be butted for, hold the scissors in cutting off the 

 stumps in whatever manner you choose, a taper is formed which points 

 the wrong way. The " butt " of Ostrich (the herl itself tapering well to 

 a point) comes to the rescue, and brings matters right by covering the 

 stumps remaining. If the fly is to be of the type known as " shovel- 

 tailed," a similar mischievous tapering arises, and should be treated in 

 the same way by the Ostrich herl. These matters will be better under- 

 stood after perusal of the next chapter. 



" Body." Of the three materials, Pig's wool, mohair, and Seal's fur, 

 the last named (being the last introduced into use) is superior to either of 

 the others for general purposes, as it is more tractable than Pig's wool, 

 and more brilliant and alluring than niohair. It is to be observed, 

 however, that where bulk of colour is a desideratum, as in the "Beacons- 

 field," mohair is still occasionally employed. On the other hand, the 

 more sombre Berlin wool is sometimes preferred, as on Speyside. 



In selecting Seal's fur, see that it is even in texture, rather hairy than 

 woolly in character, and even in colour. Inferior samples are dull, lumpy, 

 short, and downy. 



Owing to its comparative coarseness and length, Pig's wool, now-a- 

 days, is rarely employed except in large flies, for which use it has 

 manifest advantages. Being the most brilliant of all dyed materials, 

 except, perhaps, Goat's beard, it is unrivalled. To secure with it an 

 evenly-tapered body careful treatment is required. The "wool" (for that 

 is the usual name given to it) should first be rolled between the fingers, 

 so that it forms a tapered length to spin on to the tying silk. Other 

 furs are sometimes used for special patterns. The Silver Monkey is 



