The Siinfisb Family 47 



water. For still-fishing, hooking through the 

 tail or under the back fin will answer ; but even 

 then I prefer my method, unless the minnow is 

 less than two inches in length." And he made a 

 long cast toward the eddy of a large boulder. 



" For the same reason," acquiesced Silver Doc- 

 tor, " artificial flies are tied with the head next the 

 snell," — industriously casting to right and left 

 over the riffle. 



" But some flies are tied with the tail next to 

 the snell," ventured Shiner. 



" That is true, but it is unnatural. I never 

 saw an insect swim tail first up-stream. Nature 

 is the best teacher, and one should endeavor to 

 follow her lead." Just then the Doctor snapped 

 off his point fly. Upon examination he found 

 that the snell was dry and brittle next to the 

 head of the fly, though he had previously soaked 

 it well in a glass of water. He discovered that a 

 drop of shellac varnish had encroached beyond 

 the head of the fly for perhaps the sixteenth of 

 an inch on the snell. This portion, being water- 

 proof, remained dry and brittle — a very common 

 fault with cheap flies. 



" This fly," said the Doctor, " was given to me 

 for trial by Judge Hackle. He tied it himself. 



