114 THE TROUT. 



or more loops ; the fibres of the feather will then lie the re- 

 verse way, cut off the superfluous part of the feather, that 

 remains after tying, and twist on the body of the required 

 length ; fasten by two loops, draw down the fibres of the 

 feather to the bend, and the fly is finished. 



" If tinsel, or gold and silver twist be required for the 

 body of the fly, it must be tied on after the hackle, but car- 

 ried round the body before the hackle makes the legs. If 

 the tinsel be required only at the tail of the fly, it must be 

 tied on immediately after the gut and hook are put together; 

 the hackle next, and then the body, &c. 



" The choice of your fly must depend much upon the na 

 ture of the water you fish in, and the state of the weather , 

 if the water be full, and somewhat colored, your flies may be 

 of the larger and darker kind ; if, on the contrary, the water 

 should be low and clear, and the day bright, your fly should 

 be dressed accordingly, i. e., it should be pale in color and 

 spare in the dressing." 



Of the different Feathers spoken of. A very good imita- 

 tion of the starling's wing, which is a plain pale grey, can be 

 taken from the wing of a duck, and also from the wing and 

 tail of the black-bird. The mallard's wing, which is a light 

 grey feather, with black specks, can be nearly imitated by 

 the feather taken from the wing and shoulder of the common 

 drake, and also by some of the light colored feathers of the 

 game-hen. A similar to the landrail, which is a palish brown, 

 can be supplied from the woodcock or pheasant. The coch- 

 a-bonddu feather is neither more nor less than the black and 

 red feather of the cock. 



