94 THE SALMON FLY. 



the method of fixing has since been entirely converted. Not only 

 the dresser formerly limited to the size of the hook, but, in the absence 

 of long practical experience, was heavily handicapped by the method of 

 mounting as then practised. I am, however, glad to say that I have 

 satisfactorily overcome these disadvantages, and have, in fact, reduced 

 the whole business well within the management of a beginner at fly work. 

 Nor is this all ; for I have had a few -years to give the latter system a 

 right and proper test, and have no hesitation in endeavouring now to 

 explain it. 



Mixed wings are now formed by mixing together fibres of different 

 lengths of feathers. 



Select first, say, four fibres from the shorter and finer feathers, such 

 as Teal, Ibis, Gallina, tippet, powdered blue Macaw, and Summer Duck 

 (all of them if you please) for part of one wing, and corresponding 

 feathers for part of the other wing. Place them in consecutive working 

 order on the right and left side of your table, and proceed to make up 

 three bundles of single strands from one of these two sets at a time. 

 These bundles will eventually form what is now termed the " skin " of 

 the wings on their respective sides fibres taken from the left side of 

 the quill or shaft for the far wing, and from the right side of the quill for 

 the near one. It is not necessary for these fibres to be of equal length in 

 the made up bundles. 



Take, for example, a single fibre from each of the three feathers in 

 rotation (using, say, the left set first), and place them one by one upon 

 the ball of the left fore-finger alongside each other, holding them all 

 curving down, and gently pressing them with the thumb, the point of 

 which is partially raised each time, for the purpose of putting others there. 



Having taken, say, your half dozen strands (two of each feather), 

 and having put them in this way, carefully place the thumb and fore- 

 finger of the right hand across the roots to hold them while the left 

 finger and thumb, pressing on the fibres, are drawn thence out, towards, 

 and beyond the points. This will induce the sides of the fibres to adhere 

 to one another, and so form a " skin " in one apparent strip. Two more 

 of these strips or slips, so made up, and of the same materials, will con- 

 stitute the whole of one skin. 



