88 THE SALMON FLY. 



up the waste ends, as in the former instance ; and do not be discouraged 

 if the wings are not yet accurately in their final position. To put the 

 finishing touches on, much is done by further manipulation. After lifting 

 up the ends, transfer silk to CATCH, give another turn of it, then cut roots 

 taperingly, and make off. 



Section VII. Select further materials for each wing say, strips, 

 three strands broad, of Swan dyed red, of ditto blue, of ditto yellow ; and 

 two broader strips of Teal. Marry them all together, Teal lowest, for the 

 separate wings, as before. By the grips of right and left fore-fingers and 

 thumbs (already described) reproduce the "hump, "lay into place the new 

 instalments of wing, previously measured as to length, and tie down as 

 previously directed, catching, lifting up, and making off. Select head herl. 

 Section VIII. Prepare a topping of suitable length by stripping it as 

 before of any dull, short, downy fibres at the base, and making a furrow 

 transversely in its shaft to receive the tying-silk. To make the furrow, 

 lay the shaft along over the ball of the right thumb, the main curve of 

 the feather projecting out beyond and in a perpendicular plane, the point 

 turning downwards and neither to right nor to left. With nail of right 

 middle finger indent gently at the required spot, keeping your eye all the 

 while fixed on the feather to see that it does not turn sideways out of the 

 straight plane, which, however, the direction of the pressure might regulate. 

 Now touch thinly with varnish the top of the head of the fly where 

 the topping is to lie. 



Release silk and put it in CATCH. 



Section IX. Take the topping in right fore-finger and thumb, by its 

 root, and lay it in position. Then with the left fore-finger and thumb 

 seize the main part of the feather together with the whole wing close 

 down to the work. Pass the silk once over it, and into CATCH. If not 

 already in a straight line with the shank, and quite on. the top of it, the 

 root of the topping should now be put into that position. Bind on with 

 six tight turns loopwards. Put silk in CATCH. Cut off all wastes. Then, 

 with the stiletto point, work a little varnish thoroughly in among the 

 stump ends and round them ; tie loopwards, almost to the end of the 

 shank, and then about three more turns, backwards towards the tail, and 

 put silk in CATCH. 



