272 FLIES AND KNOTS. 



pheasant was heard of as one of the indispensable ingre- 

 dients. A little practice will enable the angler to make 

 flies himself, and add to his sport the consciousness of 

 invention. 



Except in that way, and except for salmon fishing, the 

 sportsmen of our country have no time to waste tying 

 flies. The regular shops charge a heavy profit over the 

 amount paid the workman, and if the purchaser is capa- 

 ble of telling a good fly, the best plan is to go direct to 

 the latter, explain what is wanted, and show an interest 

 in the proceeding. A half dozen of each of the fore- 

 going specimens, firmly fastened on strong, round, even 

 gut, will last two months' daily salmon fishing in well- 

 stocked streams. An average loss of four or five a day 

 would be by no means surprising, although a single one 

 might kill a great many fine fish. Hooks are apt to be 

 broken at the bend by striking against a rock, from care- 

 lessness, or the awkward handling of too long a line. If 

 you find a hook broken in that way, lay it primarily to 

 this cause, and watch the sweep of your cast. 



After the fly is made, tying it on to the leader and the 

 leader to the line is an important matter, and as it is 

 always desirable to put the right knot in the right place, 

 the following directions may do something toward ena- 

 bling one to effect that object, and after a little practice 

 will be found entirely intelligible. The gut lengths of 

 the droppers should be short, to prevent their fouling 

 round the leader. 



No. 1 and No. 2 are both good ties to fasten the 

 leader to the line. No. 3 is a becket-hitch, and No. 4 a 

 double becket-hitch. No. 5 is a single water knot- 



