202 FLY-MAKING. 



the tail add lustre to a mixed wing. Peacock and 

 ostrich herls are used for the heads and bodies of 

 certain specimens. Ibis, macaw, guinea-fowl, blue- 

 jay, king-fisher, parrot, are all necessary ; while the 

 Argus pheasant, although injured by the water, 

 makes an exquisite wing, and the silver pheasant is 

 used with effect in black bass flies. 



For dyed feathers the pure white of the swan 

 furnishes an excellent material, while crossing colors, 

 such as yellow over ibis, produces great brilliancy. 

 The mallard and canvas-back are also favorites for 

 dyeing. The principal shades are yellow, blue, and 

 purple. 



We will now proceed to make a salmon-fly after 

 the simplest plan on a large hook, and remember 

 that the point is held down, and when the further 

 side is spoken of, it refers to it in that position ; the 

 head is always towards the right and that is called 

 the upper part, and towards it is above. 



Select a piece of stout gut a little longer than the 

 shank ; pare down the ends with a knife ; double 

 them together so that one shall extend beyond the 

 other; insert the picker between them, bend at the 

 top and shape it by twisting and pinching the ends. 

 If the hook is very large it is well to take several 

 strands of gut and first twist them together by means 

 of a vice fastened to each end, while they are wet 

 and before shaping them over the picker. When 

 the gut is prepared lay it down and take a well 

 waxed piece of silk about six inches long, and hold- 

 ing the hook in the left hand, wind a number of 



