ANGLER'S FLIES AND HOW TO TIE 



Superexcellence in the tying of artificial flies 

 comes only with manual practise combined with 

 a close study of stream insect life and of the 

 habits of the fish that feed thereon. In fine it is 

 a development coincident with the ripening of 

 experience; and almost every expert tier has 

 his own jealously guarded kinks or stunts both 

 with reference to special technic and to the 

 sources and utilization of special materials. 



But it is possible that the reader may have 

 less self-confidence than did that individual who, 

 in response to one who inquired if he could play 

 the violin, replied: "I don't know; I never 

 tried;" and so, lest he should become discour- 

 aged at the start, we hasten to add that it really 

 is a simple matter for the tyro to learn to tie 

 flies that will be much superior in every way to 

 the cheaper stock output of the tackle-shops, 

 superior even to most of the more expensive 

 grades of the commercial article. They will be 

 better looking, will last longer of course barring 

 those irretrievably snagged or lost through 

 breakage of leaders and what is more to the 

 point they will catch more fish. 



We shall not attempt an exhaustive treat- 

 ment of this subject, which in itself would re- 

 quire a large book, but we do intend to give 

 such complete details and with such lucidity as 

 will enable the amateur to make creditable flies, 

 from which point by practise and observation 

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