Aetificial Flies. 247 



in but a moderate degree. The best way for one to ob- 

 tain an insight into the mysteries of the art, is to care- 

 fully dissect and take apart the flies of the best makers, 

 for in the taking apart one can acquire more or less of the 

 modus operandi of the putting together. 



The most approved hooks for bass-flies are the Sproat, 

 O'Shaughneasy, Dublin Limerick, Cork Shape Limerick, 

 and hollow point Limerick. I consider them best in the 

 order named, though the O'Shaughnessy is thought by 

 many to be the best. It is the same in all respects as the 

 Dublin Limerick, except that it is a little heavier in wire, 

 and it differs from the Sproat only in the barb, the latter 

 having a shorter barb, with the point straight, or pointing 

 toward the extreme end of the shank, forming a true 

 central-draught hook. The barb of the O'Shaughnessy is a 

 little longer, and the point is turned slightly outward. 

 But any of these hooks will give good satisfaction. 



The most suitable sizes, for bass flies are Kos. 2, 3, 4 and 

 5, the last being the smallest that should be used under 

 ordinary circumstances, though, for the smallest flies, Nos. 

 6 and 7 may be employed. These numbers apply to all of 

 the hooks named above. 



Flies may be tied on a silk-worm gut snell several 

 inches in length, or may have simply a small, short gut- 

 loop. Those with loops can be used as " stretchers " or 

 tail flies ; but when used as " droppers " or bob flies, they 

 must be attached to the leader by a short length of gut, 

 say three or four inches long. 



Many trout flies are used, as stated, and with good effect 

 in black bass fishing, for really the form and color of the 

 fly does not seem to make much difference with the bass; 

 he does not seem so "fastidious," as it is termed, in his 

 choice of flies. Most of the " general " trout flies are 

 taken as patterns for bass flies, as the coachmen, professor. 



