100 THE SALMON FLY. 



edges, back to back, like the underwing-stiips as formerly explained. 

 The majority of strip wings, as many Anglers know, lie flat and spread 

 out from the head of the fly. These are the most popular and, in places, 

 seem to be ever present. Proof of this, proof that in the Spring months 

 they have comparatively no rest in the North, is furnished by familiar 

 experience on several rivers, notably the Dee, where, in truth, there are 

 two occasions on which they are used when fish are taking and when 

 they are not. However, the key to practical success lies in adjusting the 

 strips so as to keep them intact. The fibres should not split, and this 

 can only be prevented by drawing them together tightly and regularly 

 just at the point of tie. Of the two best methods for the business some 

 details are necessary. One method is by the aid of the vice, the other 

 without it. Peter Milne, at Garden's establishment, Aberdeen, is an 

 adept with the vice. After fixing the bend of the hook in it, he selects 

 both strips of such length that the point of tie comes close to the quill. 

 Having prepared them, so that no more than a mere suspicion of quill 

 remains to keep the fibres from separating, he holds the far side strip 

 alongside the hook, by placing the left thumb above and the forefinger 

 below, and then throws the tying silk over it close to the part so held. 

 With the right hand put under the fly, he catches hold of the silk and 

 brings it up gently to the near side of the work ; and before pulling it 

 towards him, looks to see that the coil is in its proper place, i.e., close to 

 the left fingers, and in a straight line over the work. The silk is now 

 pulled steadily, during which operation any shifting of the fibres is easily 

 detected. If the fibres are not coming one upon the other, evenly 

 towards each other, so that finally they shall represent a closed fan, the 

 beginner should stop pulling at once and try again. Two subsequent 

 turns of silk are now given and the waste of the strip cut off. The near 

 side strip is put on by a similar process, but the left finger in this instance 

 is placed above it and the thumb below, in an exactly reversed position. 



George Blacklaws (Kincardine O'Neil) works by a method of my 

 own. It is recommended here because I have given up using the vice, 

 and believe the student will earlier succeed in getting strength and neat- 

 ness. However this may be, working without the vice calls for far more 

 skill in manipulation. Select, as in the former method, a feather suitable 



