92 THE SALMON FLY. 



together to form the taper. On arriving at the head pass two turns of 

 tying-silk round the floss just upon the end of the gut binding. Put silk 

 in CATCH ; cut off floss waste ; make off. 



With the point of a needle gently tease the floss coils, and then by 

 the process of "ironing" them (as explained) the foundation, so far, 

 should be smooth and fairly tapered. 



Wind on left portion of floss from you, tailwards and back over all, 

 headwards. At each coil put floss in CATCH and smooth it. As you pro- 

 ceed with the coils watch the progress of the taper. In finishing at the 

 head, place the floss in CATCH, undo the former two turns of tying-silk, 

 and tie the completed foundation down in their place. Make off. 



(Some Amateurs fasten the floss at the head end of the hook and 

 coil it, in one length, first tailwards and then headwards a method I 

 recommend only for silk-bodied flies after weeks of practice.) 



Wind on flat tinsel in close coils ; these are not diagonal coils, the 

 tinsel is worked as nearly as possible straight over the shank. In coiling 

 it you will observe that the point of tie on the bevel was so cut or bevelled 

 that the edge of the first coil shall lie close alongside the butt. On com- 

 pleting this first coil pat tinsel in CATCH, and flatten with right middle 

 finger nail the part where it first bends over, the left thumb being placed 

 under shank in support. Continue these coils, which must not overlap, 

 but lie close alongside each other, so that in the end they resemble the 

 desired appearance of a piece of piping. 



Put STOP on last coil while you apply tweezers, and pass two turns 

 of tying-silk over it, not too tightly. Examine latest coils : press them 

 together tailwards with the finger nails, pull last coil taut ; tighten tying- 

 silk and put it in CATCH. 



The tinsel is now partially secured under the shank. 



Bend last coil of tinsel back, and press it close down upon the two 

 turns of tying-silk which hold it fixed. Flatten the bend with the finger 

 nail by turning the back of left hand towards you to facilitate matters. 

 It is obvious that this " bending back " gives extra holding power and 

 makes the work secure. When the first few of the next turns of tying- 

 silk (tailwards) have passed half way over the part bent back, put silk in 

 CATCH, cut off the waste tinsel close there, and after binding down with 



