METHOD OF DKESSING A FLY. 89 



when once wet, is of little further use, as the fibres 

 run together, and form a mere thread. The wings 

 should consist of several folds of the feather, as then 

 they keep their original shape, wetting improving 

 rather than injuring their appearance. 



In dressing a fly, commence in the same manner 

 as in dressing a spider, carrying the thread up to 

 within three or four turns of the end of the shank ; 

 then take the feathers, of which you are to form the 

 wings, firmly between the forefinger and thumb of 

 your right hand, lay it to the bare end of the shank, 

 whip the thread firmly round it two or three times, 

 and then cut off the root end of the feather as close 

 as possible. To put on the wings neatly, and make 

 them lie properly, is the most difficult part of fly- 

 making, and care must be taken to lay them on so 

 that, when fastened, they will be the proper length, 

 as it does not do to cut them. The wings being 

 now fastened on, but in a whole, divide them, and 

 passing the silk between them, bring it up crossways. 



So far, the dressing of all flies is alike, but the 

 remainder of the operation depends upon whether 

 the fly is to be dressed with a hackle or dubbing. 



If it is to be made with dubbing, all that re- 

 mains to be done is to take a little of it, and apply- 

 ing it to the silk with the forefinger and thumb of 

 the right hand, twist them both together till the 

 dubbing is thoroughly rolled round the silk ; and 

 in that state wrap it round the hook till the body 

 of the fly is made, when finish as usual ; then with 



