STREAMCRAFT 



(Many prefer the hackle entirely in front of the 

 wings; it is not laid back toward the bend of the 

 hook, but is allowed to stand out in all direc- 

 tions as it naturally will.) 



12. Fasten thread with three half -hitches 

 just behind eye of hook, or better, with an 

 invisible knot of three or four close turns, 

 working toward the eye and over the end 

 which you have doubled back and laid under 

 these coils parallel with shank, as shown in the 

 illustration (A winds over and secures B). 

 Hold loop of thread taut over point of bodkin 

 and pull end of 

 thread till loop hugs 

 needle; withdraw 

 bodkin, give a final 

 firm and steady pull 

 to make all secure 

 and cut thread off 

 close with a sharp 

 penknife, being 

 careful not to cut 

 the hackle. With stepii 



bodkin pick out any 

 fibers remaining caught under 

 turns of hackle or of thread. 

 (Some tiers split the hackle 

 through its quill and use a half- 

 hackle to mitigate this difficulty; but this 

 seems rather adding an unnecessary difficulty. 

 208 



