MATERIALS. 101 



In some golf balls a fine indiarubber tape is used 

 as a core, if this is wound tightly over a yellow or other 

 light coloured wool, it makes a good body of an olive 

 shade, which keeps its colour well. It is unfortunate 

 that this material has such a limited range of colours, 

 as it is easy to obtain and pleasant to work. 



Of textile materials, unmistakably the best is wool ; 



either mohair, sheep, seal or pig. 

 Wool. Any of these dye readily, and will 



keep their colour even if soaked 

 for months ; but bear in mind that wet materials are 

 usually a shade darker than dry ones, therefore, it is 

 better either to dress imitations with wet materials, or 

 try a wet example for colour before going too far. 



Why does a fly when first put on, so frequently rise 

 a fish at the first cast ? Because it is dry, reply the 

 purists. We will ask another question : 



" If that same fly is waved about until it floats 

 perfectly does it regain its first efficiency ? " No, 

 certainly not, because it has deteriorated considerably 

 in colour ; at least, this is the suggestion which we 

 throw out for the careful observation and consideration 

 of anglers. 



With regard to hackles for legs, they should be 



moderately stiff for floating flies, 

 Hackles. and for wet flies may be quite soft in 



texture, providing they have the 

 necessary strength to stand the knocking about. 



The soft game hackles darken much more when 

 wetted than the harder and smoother surfaced poultry 

 feathers. 



