HOW TO DRESS FLIES 31 



on in this way it lies much smoother in the 

 first turn than if tied in quite straight. 



If the body is to be made of wool or hair, 

 the tying silk should be waxed again at the 

 part nearest the hook for about two or three 

 inches, and the material spun on it. 



When I began fly-dressing I found this 

 spinning on of the " dubbing" a great 

 stumbling-block. In all the books I have 

 read the directions on this point are 

 simply, " Spin the * dubbing' on the tying 

 silk," and I had not the least idea how this 

 should be done. As others who wish to 

 make their own flies may also find this a 

 difficulty, I will try to explain the method 

 which I have found the easiest. 



If Berlin wool is used, a piece should be 

 broken off and the strands separated from 

 each other. The strands should then be 

 laid together and pulled into short pieces 

 until the whole is in one mass. This should 

 then be teazed up with the nails of the 

 thumbs and first fingers until it is of an 

 even consistency. A small portion of this 

 should then be taken to make the body of 

 each fly. This should be teazed up again, 

 and made to taper gradually to a point 



