STRIP-WINGED FLIES. 101 



for the size of hook. The fibres must be of such a length that when the 

 strip is severed from the feather (by means of cutting it along the centre 

 of the quill) the part tied shall be, as I 'have said, close to the quill. The 

 quill is trimmed in like manner as before, particularly the portion under- 

 neath. The silk is then set in, if necessary, and when the foundation is 

 made binding first loopwards and back to the throat hackle take the 

 far side strip, the longest fibres being outwards, in the left hand and 

 squeeze the fibres together at their roots by pinching the strip crossways 

 with the right hand thumb and finger nails at the quill end. The strip is 

 then taken at the pinched root, placed and held at the desired angle 

 against the upper part of the side of the hook, and with the left hand one 

 turn of tying silk is given from you and drawn tight, in order that the 

 fibres shall come as close to each other as possible. This is simple 

 enough to do, but when done, the chief thing is to keep the silk 

 taut while seizing it with the right hand. Now place the left thumb 

 above and fore-finger below the strip, close to the tie, give two more 

 turns with the right hand in the usual way and cut off waste. Make 

 off. By the same process prepare the near strip. Apply it to the 

 hook, noting that on this occasion the strip is placed somewhat flatter to 

 the side of the shank than the former one (the outer side of which was 

 slightly elevated) as the tying silk will draw up the lower fibres into their 

 proper position. With the left hand give one turn from you, holding the 

 silk taut as before, and then seize it with the right hand. Now grip the 

 wings sideways with the left hand, allowing the fingers to point a little 

 downwards, and give three turns with the right hand. Cut off waste and 

 finish. 



But the Spey style of fly calls for more minute details. Take the 

 "Gold Eiach" for an example. One side of the Spey-cock hackle (which 

 is wound from its root along the body) is stripped of its fibres, leaving the 

 better side for use. If the tinsels are wound from you (a matter decided 

 according to which side the hackle is stripped), the hackle is brought over 

 them towards you, and vice versa. Along with the tinsels is fixed a 

 length of tying-silk for binding the hackle at intervals of, say, ^ of an 

 inch. This is done simply to protect the hackle from uncoiling if cut by 

 the tooth of a fish. Of necessity, the silk is worked in between the fibres 



