DOUBLING THE HACKLE. 79 



one movement, the far side fibres towards and over to their near side 

 companions, first, by a decided rub of the thumb along the quill towards 

 you, and then by stroking both sides of fibres between the thumb and 

 finger to their points slightly from you. 



Repeat the rubbing and stroking in the manner described until the 

 far side fibres are brought over towards the others and remain "doubled." 



Continue this over the whole of the feather, taking half an inch at 

 a time, thus finally bringing the fingers of the right hand close to those of 

 the left. The tweezers are allowed to drop lower and lower in the right 

 hand as the work proceeds. All the fibres will then be found to retain 

 their position on the correct side of the quill. Great care must be taken, 

 during the rubbing, not to twist or warp the quill in any degree. Moisten 

 and coax to a peak the end of the hackle from the point of tying on, and 

 pull the doubled fibres with the others from that point well back out of 

 the way of future work. 



Prepare also the flat tinsel, brightening it with silicon, and cutting it 

 diagonally at one end to a long point. 



Section VI. First set in the point of the hackle (its root to the 

 left and fibres downwards) on the far side of the shank, close up to the 

 end of the section. For this, undo two turns of tying-silk, make a 

 turn over the hackle-point to steady it, and hold all the work in position, 

 putting the tying-silk taut in "CATCH." Now set in the pointed end of the 

 tinsel close to the hackle (letting the main part rest over the left hand) also 

 on the far side of the shank, in continuation of the former ribbing, with 

 its cut edge tailwards. After unwinding tying-silk, put two or three turns 

 of silk over it headwards, and make off. 



Section VII. Take a pinch of Seal's fur large enough when rolled 

 on to well cover the lower half of the shank. Judgment in the exact 

 amount of material will soon come with experience. Rub this pinch to 

 and fro between the right fingers and thumb so as to form a cone. Let it 

 drop on the table, choose the best tapered end, and proceed thus : 



Taking the hook firmly in the left hand, close up to the latest work, 

 holding the hackle-fibres and tinsel well away, release the silk and put it 

 in " CATCH." Lay the chosen end of the Seal's fur cone against the far 

 side of the shank immediately on the tying-silk, and put " STOP " on both 



