212 FLY-MAKING. 



there, and offering resistance to tne water are sup- 

 posed by some to imitate motion. Those tied in this 

 manner are not handsome, but are great favorites 

 with certain fishermen for their assumed killing qua- 

 lities, and are considered ruined if the silk covers 

 the roots of the wings, as is done by most Irish fly- 

 tiers. 



Flies may also be finished at the shoulder under 

 the wing ; a course that seems to offer no advan- 

 tages and to combine most disadvantages. Or the 

 body may be tied, beginning at the shoulder and 

 finishing at the bend, as last described, omitting the 

 wings and leaving a place for them till the last ; a 

 new piece of thread is then applied, and the wings be- 

 ing tied in their natural position, the second finish 

 is made at the head. 



To prepare two single strands of floss as tying 

 silk, hold one end between your teeth, twist the silk 

 and rub it lightly with a small edge of wax. If the 

 weather is cold the wax may require thumbing be- 

 fore it can be used or will stick to the silk. There 

 will be found considerable difference in the strength 

 of*strands of floss according to the color, and in 

 very small flies this may be suited to the insect 

 intended to be imitated, and the necessity of any 

 other body avoided. 



The word buzz, which is taken from the buzzing 

 motion of an insect's wings when moved rapidly, is 

 applied to the hackle wound more or less along the 

 body, and supposed thus without wings to repre- 

 sent that motion. The hackle may be carried all 



