MATERIALS. 97 



Of textile materials, unmistakably the best is wool ; Wool. 

 either mohair, sheep, seal, or pig. 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 H.\ckles. 

 moderately stiff for floating flies, 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. 



Generally speaking, good old birds yield better Old 

 feathers than younger birds ; they are stronger, and in ^'^°^' 

 poultry such hackles possess that glassy quality so 

 much esteemed by fly tiers. 



The materials used for wing-s are, in the o:reat Wings. 

 majority of cases, the secondary wing feathers, though 



