THE MAKING OF AN ARTIFICIAL FLY 



important that a repetition, is not wasted. You 

 will save a good deal of trouble by discarding the 

 use of tweezers every time you pick up objects. 



The tying silk must always be wound and pulled 

 as tight as you dare without having a break. Es- 

 pecially does the end tie need to be pulled perfectly 

 tight, that the fly may not come apart or the wings 

 come off. 



For the fastening-off knot I use the two turns 

 (perhaps three) and half hitch. I know it is the 

 old-fashioned way, but I am used to it, and it is so 

 simple that I see no valid reason to tie otherwise. 

 Mr. Halford severely condemns it. He favors the 

 "whip" finish, which is more trouble and gives a lot 

 of bother, especially in tying on the hackle. If the 

 half hitch is drawn good and tight, and the finish is 

 waxed and varnished, the knot stays secure. How- 

 ever, I give here the whip finish as described by Mr. 

 Halford, so that those who desire to do so may use 

 it. The whip finish for tying off is made thus : 



"Lay the end of the tying silk back towards the 

 tail to form an open loop, and work one turn of the 

 loop round the neck of the eye. Similarly, work 

 three more turns of the loop, passing it at each turn 

 over the eye. Holding the hook and turns of silk 

 firmly between the left thimab and forefinger, draw 

 the end of the tying silk down with the right hand 

 until the knot is quite tight. It is essential in this 

 operation to proceed slowly, so as to allow the 



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