FLIES AND KNOTS. 



271 



but by taking a number of various shades, you can rea- 

 dily select the most effective. The well-known flies should 

 be dressed after Ronalds as far as practicable. It is to 

 be regretted that there is not more uniformity and pride 

 n, or practical acquaintance with, the subject among our 

 principal tackle-makers. With the English maker^ it 

 has always been an especial care that their flies should 

 be dressed well and with uniformity ; but here, anything 

 that can be palmed off on an ignorant or indulgent pub- 

 lic, or a barbarous country trade, is all that is desired. 

 It is better always to send a pattern, with instructions to 

 copy it precisely, and that no originality of variation 

 will be permitted. Then, and then only, can you obtain 

 what you wish. So much for trout-flies. 



To make a salmon-fly, the following additional direc- 

 tions, most of which apply equally to carefully made 

 trout-flies, will be found convenient. Tie on the gut as 

 before directed; upon reaching the bend, fasten the 

 spring pliers on to the thread, and do not take them off 

 till the fly is finished. Take two turns with the silk over 

 a strip of tinsel, pass the latter several times round the 

 hook to form the tag, fasten it with the silk and cut it 

 off; introduce the floss for the tip, take several turns 

 evenly, tie it down and cut off the end ; introduce the 

 tail and then a piece of herl, wind the herl at the root 

 of the tail and fasten it ; take in a new piece of tinsel 

 and a hackle by rubbing back all the fibres but a few 8.t 

 the point ; leave both pointing from the head. Take a 

 small piece of mohair between your fingers, break it over 

 and over again into small pieces, lengthen it out and twist 

 it round the silk toward the left, as otherwise it will 



