70 THE SALMON FLY. 



The object here is that the loop sides shall lie parallel to each other 

 in their entire lengths quite up to the point where, in the completed fly, 

 they leave the shank, and expand immediately into the eye of the loop. 



Of course, the -J- inch next the eye is not fixed in place until the turns 

 of tying-silk for the foundation of the wings cover and bind it a later 

 process. When the fly is in use, the " nipping " has the effect of helping 

 to maintain the correct direction of strain upon the gut at the head, and 

 so of preventing that general loosening and consequent loss of feather, 

 caused by the part usually forked, working itself straight. This defect 

 is present at the heads of un-nipped flies, and so the part of the gut-loop 

 under the wings is left V shaped. 



OPERATION II. 



TYING ON THE TAG, TAIL, AND BUTT. It may be well to recall to 

 mind here that the fly we now propose to tie is one intended solely as a 

 convenient starting point for instruction, and the several operations 

 involved in it will be described consecutively, up to its final completion. 

 Afterwards, the modifications requisite for tying various types of flies will 

 be sufficiently explained in their order. 



Section I. Select the following materials : two inches of silver 

 twist, three inches of floss silk, a Golden Pheasant topping an inch in 

 length, and an Ostrich herl. 



Section II. Prepare the silver twist by stripping off from one end 

 enough ol the silver wire to leave bare about * of an inch of the silk core. 

 This is done by pressing the silver twist at the proper point with the 

 sharp edge of the left thumb nail down on the ball of the left fore-finger, 

 and simultaneously uncoiling the wire with a tug of the right hand and 

 snapping it off quickly. Cut off half the thickness of the core with the 

 scissors, and then strip the other end of the silver twist, and manage it in 

 the same way. The coils of the twist are now driven closer together, and 

 brightened up by the aid of a small piece of chamois leather, on which a. 

 little Steven's silicon has been rubbed. 



Either end of the core is held between the left fore-finger and thumb, 

 whilst the chamois leather is gently drawn in a direction away from the 

 point held and down over the silver twist, but not so far as to loosen the 



