Foster

[Traditionalist]

ON FLY MAKING. ( With some of the famous Debyshire Bumbles. MC)

FLIES FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING FISHING; THE ADVISABILITY OF COPYING NATURE ; UP-WINGED AND FLAT- WINGED ARTIFICIALS ; DRESSINGS FOR THE DUNS, BROWNS, MAY FLIES, OR DRAKES ; FLAT- WINGED WATER FLIES ; LAND FLIES ; How TO DRESS A HACKLE FLY, PALMER, ETC. ; SALMON FLIES.  ( Material on salmon flies left out MC)

TROUT AND GRAYLING FLIES. A really solid advantage the amateur fly-maker enjoys is his ever available ability to produce copies of any special insect the fish may just then be regaling themselves upon, when other lures fail to meet with due appreciation. Trout are often most tantalizingly fastidious ; and though occasionally, at rare intervals, they are to be taken by almost anything in the shape of a fly, it is merely a reckless spirit of wantonness that is displayed, in which case sport will prove but indifferent, the fish in reality being merely playing and not feeding. Trout will take down almost any- thing when in this mood ; bits of leaves, twigs, and other floating atoms, we have repeatedly seen them close their teeth upon, when taking observations from the chinks of a wooden foot bridge ; but these floating substances we noted invariably rose to the surface almost immediately. But when, on the other hand, there are myriads of any particular fly out, the thorough earnestness displayed by the feeding fish, as they eagerly absorb the abundance of food thus presented upon the surface of their native element, bears a marked contrast to their former demeanour ; and when the angler happens not to possess an imitation thereof to present, in nine hundred and ninety-nine instances out of a thousand, his lure will meet with an unflattering reception. It is then that the proficient fly-dresser, by a little display of patience and ingenuity, proves equal to the occasion, and by the prompt exercise of his art, rules the circumstances to which his less accomplished brother of the rod must bow.

Great disappointment is often experienced by the uninitiated (and we regret to have to admit there should exist grounds for honest complaints) in procuring flies dressed to any particular artificial or natural pattern. The prevailing custom would appear to be simply to choose the fly in stock, bearing the best resemblance to the pattern required in its various details ; and as this is occasionally limited in its character, the credulity of the fisher is not infrequently imposed upon. These and other tests of patience, the angler, who has become an apt fly-dresser, spares himself. Upon the other hand, it is but fair to point out the little drawbacks it is necessary to surmount.

Firstly, then, time is essential, as a matter of course, for the practice of this pleasing art. We often hear it asserted " that life is too brief to admit of fishermen making their own flies ; " every art and pursuit demands a given amount of application, more especially until a thorough practical knowledge of it is acquired. To claim an exception in the case now before the reader, would certainly be unjustifiable ; but in the particular circumstances to which we have made allusion, it cannot, we think, be denied that it is an advantageous accomplishment to the fly - fisher. Another fact, well-known to all practitioners, whether amateur or professional, is, that the creditable construction of well-known artificials requires a certain amount of studious application. Many dozens have frequently to be made and discarded before the hand acquires the accurate " knack " for each different description of fly; therefore with well-known " standards," the professor has unmistakably the advantage, large quantities of each of those most difficult to. make being produced before another variety is taken in hand.

In fly-making, a natural specimen of the fly it is desired to imitate should always be placed before the artist. Man's greatest achievements in the fine arts are admired, and justly so, in proportion to their faithful accordance with the originals of nature. Mere reproductions of these are not nearly so much esteemed ; for, though the original canvas may be valued at its weight in gold, even good copies are of small comparative worth. We have often deplored the perverseness of individuals who, misconceiving the object and aim in view, persist in reproducing old renderings, from books and other sources, and thus, instead of endeavouring to improve upon existing or old styles, merely perpetuate them> and are content. Many an old pattern of " artificial " is considered irresistible in its season, owing to past exploits in which it may have figured favourably, when given the post of honour upon the fly-list. Their owners fail to comprehend that their vaunted virtues could and would have been eclipsed in the matter of conquests, had a truer, and therefore better copy been employed in equally favourable circumstances.

The natural insects, common to all pure running streams, are precisely similar upon all waters productive of them ; nevertheless the immense diversity in the imitations (so called by courtesy) is simply astounding. To take the Drake, or May fly, as a case in point. Though, comparatively, this is a large and well-known fly, we venture to assert that if a copy of it be obtained from five hundred different fly-dressers, scarcely any two will be alike ; and it may be, that not many amongst the better renderings have much in common with the original. To the eye of the experienced fly-fisher, a glance at the handiwork of any fly-dresser proclaims the amount of practical know- ledge and experience possessed by him. To distinguish an old style of fly from a more modern one, is a much easier matter ; this is a problem, the solution of which need trouble no individual, as it certainly does not the fish. As we have before pointed out, nature is far too often imitated from memory, convention, and even tradition. Reproduction in art is a totally different matter from reproduction in nature.

The first-named means in reality degeneration. Through such a process, truth, ideality, and efficiency are lost at each successive step down the ladder of routine. Let the aspiring student study and take his ideal and model from nature, and then progress in true worth and efficiency will be effected.

The first thing to note when a strange natural is taken in hand to copy, is the position of the wings ; as if it be " flat-winged," it may be dressed hackle, or palmer-wise, instead of being winged ; whilst if it be up-winged, it should be dressed with wings nearly erect, and broad in proportion. The reason for this is obvious. The latter, when upon the water, float buoyantly along, over both broken and still water, which, however, is scarcely the case with the first-named, as the majority of these insects being land flies, naturally fail to take to the water, like the " up-winged " natives ; therefore, to imitate their buzzing action the copies are usually made up hackled and wingless. TJ^e secondary point for consideration is

THE CHOICE OF COLOUR, which, we would impress upon the mind of the tyro, requires the exercise of a certain amount of judgment ; as what may appear to be the correct thing to look down upon, will in all probability be a glaring departure from the tint required when viewed from underneath. It must ever be remembered that the fish, from their position below the natural fly and the copy, see through them ; when viewed thus they will appear, as a general rule, several shades lighter. To distinguish the correct colour of a fly as presented to the fish, we know of no better method than to place it in a clear glass of water, and hold it between the eye and the light in such a position as to be able to see underneath the insect The precise shade of both legs, wings, and body will then be accurately ascertained.

How TO DRESS THE FLY. What we hereafter endeavour to expound may deviate somewhat from the general rules laid down by former writers ; but when we state that the method of construction to be hereafter divulged has been to us as good as a patent since we originated the same, we trust our motive in finally making public the result of our researches in this by no means unimportant branch of our delightful art, will not be misconstrued, as has, we fear, been already the case with more than one predecessor and originator of improvements in artificials,( *Blacker, of famed memory, to wit. ) whose works have been calumniated by individuals who, to hide their own incompetency, have adopted the plan of criticising the achievements of men of known merit. But we digress. It is customary to make all up-winged artificials with drooping wings. These, when wet, or when drawn through the water, lie perfectly flat on the back of the hook, and when this is the case with a dun or spinner, or other ephemeral, it is a glaring departure from the original. To dress
up-winged flies so as to retain their all but erect attitude in the water, and that when subjected to hard and heavy use, we give the following :

Let us suppose for the time being that the intending operator has already fashioned the body, and has in readiness the material for its remaining appendages, viz., the legs and wings. Now, instead of next placing the legs, and lastly the wings, he must reverse the operation by attaching the wings first, the addition of the legs completing the process. To particularize, the wings should not be detached prior to being put upon the fly. The feather should also be ample in dimensions. A half-inch breadth of fibre from a small bird's quill feather, doubled so as to form the separate wings when attached, is about the amount requisite for the March brown, two thirds of this quantity for the olive dun order, and one half for the iron blue duns. After securing the wings, which should be about the length of the hook, thus a little longer than the body, they are placed in their correct position. The hackle, with which it is intended to form the legs, is then turned or wrapped into position underneath the wings, the whole being well supported by a few well-planted turns of the tying silk, which done, all that remains is for the silk to be knotted or looped off in the usual way, and your up-winged fly is complete. With reference to the first stage of its construction, much necessarily depends upon the precise nature of the material to be used and worked up. The best and most reliable way of reproducing the varying tinges of the bodies of the flies is by the use of raw silks and natural furs. The foundation of the body of the fly is formed as follows :

The hook is taken in the fore- finger and thumb of the left hand (point downwards), the tying silk in the right. A few turns of the silk are now given round the shank of the hook. Meanwhile, as a preliminary arrangement, the gut is slightly indented with the teeth at the extremity to be secured. This lessens the chances of drawing, especially in the hands of the tyro. The tying silk should now be untwisted ( The utility of the untwisting process will be conspicuously apparent in the making of fine-bodied artificials, as the substance of it is reduced by more than one-third.), so as to take all turn out of it, preparatory to wrapping on. This done, the artist works the textile round, leaving a fifth of the shank end of the hook bare to fit on the wings, the gut and hook, in so doing, straining the silk to its utmost tension. If whisks or tails are used, they should be secured by a couple of turns of the silk when the bend of the hook is reached, the fur (if any) to be in readiness. A minute portion is taken by the thumb and finger of the disengaged right hand, and twisted or rolled with the tying silk so as to adhere to that part of it near the hook, which done, the silk thus prepared may now 7 carefully retrace the body, to form the ribs of the fly. These should be at a regular and natural distance apart. The surplus fur is then to be taken both from the silk left and the body of the " artificial " (which is" now complete) by an effective " nip " or two of the finger and thumb, just leaving sufficient upon the hook's shank to faithfully represent the tinge required. When the ribs are of a contrasted hue, more carefulness still is necessary to give due effect. When the wings and legs are attached to the body, after the manner we have pointed out, a prim and neat rendering of an ephemeral is formed in faultless attitude.

The following are the various dressings for the Olive Dun shades :

THE FEBRUARY AND NOVEMBER SHADE (commonly known as the Blue Dun). Body, a small portion of blue fur spun sparingly on yellow silk ; wings, from the fieldfare's wing feather ; legs, a light dun hackle.

MARCH AND OCTOBER SHADE (cock-winged dun). Body, a small portion of water-rat's fur, spun sparingly on full yellow silk ; wings, from an old starling's quill feather ; legs, a bluish dun hackle, freckled with yellow, or a blue dun hackle, slightly stained yellow.

Those of APRIL AND SEPTEMBER (Olive or April Dun). Body, small portion of pale blue fur, spun on yellow silk ; wings, palest part of a young starling's wing feather ; legs, a light dun hackle, freckled with or stained yellow.

(Dark April Dun). Rust-coloured fur to be used in lieu of the pale blue for body. In September the rust-like shade of body here alluded to is yet more conspicuous. It is then termed in some localities the

(Whirling Blue Dun), the body being formed by still more pronounced ruddy fur ; legs, a dull ginger hackle. This latter is very difficult to procure. An ordinary ginger Cochin hen's preserved neck, steeped in copperas water, will be found to answer admirably.


(Pale Blue Dun). Body to be dressed or formed with pale blue silk ; legs, a pale dun hackle ; wings, from a starling's short quill feather.

MAY AND AUGUST SHADES (Yellow Dun of May). Body, palish yellow mohair, mixed with a little pale blue fur, spun upon palish yellow silk ; wings, young starling's or fieldfare's quill ; legs, a light dun hackle, freckled with yellow.

Hare's Ear Dun. Body, blue mole's fur, dressed with silk of a pronounced yellow ; wings, from the redwing's quill ; legs, hare's fur from behind the ear.

The name of this dressing is taken, for convenience sake, in common with the rest here given in brackets, from the nature of the material used in the copies of the graduated shades of the naturals, which periodically occur as the season advances and recedes.

IN JUNE SHADE (Golden Dun), to be tied or dressed with deep yellow silk, neatly ribbed with fine gold wire ; wings from a young starling's longer fiberia quill ; legs, a palish dun hackle, freckled with yellow.

The common Yellow Dun is the same dressing, minus the gold tassel, the waxed tying silk being used for the formation of the body.

Those of JULY (Pale Evening White). Body, a little white fur spun on pale buff-coloured silk. Wings, the palest part of a young starling's wing feather ; legs, a pale dun hackle.

Pale Evening Dun. Body, yellow martin's fur, spun sparingly on yellow silk ; wings, starling, slightly stained yellow ; legs, a brassy dun hackle. A pale blue hackle, stained in weak yellow dye, forms an excellent substitute.

(July Dun). Body, blue rabbit's fur, mixed with yellow mohair ; wings, the bluest part of a fieldfare's wing, stained slightly yellow ; legs, a darkish dun hackle. Tying silk, yellow.

The Iron-Blue Dun Family or Order may be dressed as under :

FOR APRIL AND MAY, also SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER (Iron-Blue Dun). Body, blue fur from the owl, spun around mulberry-coloured silk ; wings, from the male merlin hawk's wing ; legs, a freckled blue dun hackle, stained slightly by brown dye. Tying silk, mauve. For the light shade, the body should be dressed with a strip of a quill feather, stained the desired hue, or the tying silk only may serve for the purpose.

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER (Little Pale Blue). Body, a small portion of pale blue fur, mixed with a little yellow mohair, spun upon pale yellow or primrose-coloured silk ; wings, from the quill feather, or from the small feathers upon the knob of the wing of the sea-swallow a pair of the latter to be used back-to-back ; legs, a pale dun hackle.

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER (October Dun). To be dressed from same material as the shades of the Olive Duns for April. The size the same as the Iron Blue, and therefore one-half that of the olive order.

GENERAL FLIES (Red Spinner). Body, copper-coloured silk, ribbed with round gold thread ; whisks, three strands from a red feather from the back saddle of a game cock ; legs, fiery brown hackle, from the neck of the same bird ; wings, from an old starling's end quill.

(Dark Spinner) same as the Red, but the floss silk for body, and the hackle for legs, should be a shade or two darker, the latter approaching a claret.

(Golden ditto). Body, gold-coloured silk, to be ribbed the same as the red spinner ; legs, sandy hen's hackle ; wings, fieldfare quill.

(Jenny Spinner). This is, perhaps, the most delicate fly to copy correctly of the whole species of aerial and aquatic insects that become food for fish. We find it kills best when dressed buzz or hackle-wise. The body should be formed with floss silk of two shades, the ground-work being white, with a bright crimson band near the head and tail. It may also be tied with crimson silk, so as to form a head of that colour. The hackle may be a white hen's, or a small white feather from the knob of a pigeon's wing.

The first three shades of spinners are the transformation of the Olive Dun Order. The last given is the metamorphosis of the iron blue.

For the large browns (ephemeral) the following are given :

FOR MARCH AND APRIL (March Brown). Body, fur from the back of a hare's neck, spun on reddish buff-coloured silk, ribbed with fine gold twist ; tails, two strands of a feather from the back of a partridge ; legs, a partridge's neck feather.

FOR MAY AND JUNE (Light shade, commonly known as the Turkey brown). Body, light drab fur, ribbed with gold twist ; wings, light partridge quill ; legs, grisly dun,

FOR AUGUST (Commonly termed August Dun). Body, to be tied on, or dressed with pale brown silk, ribbed with yellow silk ; wings, from a cock pheasant's wing feather ; legs, a pale dull brown cock's hackle.

We now come to the May-Fly, or Drake of the Ephemeral series. The green drake, like all the smaller flies, requires copying accurately, in respect to the most minute detail. As we elsewhere pointed out, there exists no greater diversity amongst the imitations of any particular fly, than is the case with this. That it is an extremely difficult one to dress, we readily admit, and that it is quite possible to copy effectually is also readily conceded. But to suppose that much more than one third of the immense variety of patterns manufactured can be successful is an absurdity, hence it is they are so frequently discarded altogether, the live fly being substituted. But these are not always to be had, even upon the most prolific waters, therefore a good artificial proves a most desirable auxiliary, even to the live fly fisher.

The main point to engage the attention of the artist, is the choice of material. This should take the precedence of all and everything else in May-fly-making ; skill in construction is not nearly so much called for as in the smaller orders of the same species. Indeed it may be affirmed that the drake, owing to its size, is comparatively easy, whilst the smallest ephemeral insects may be classed amongst the most difficult The fly-dresser has to reproduce; but, as we have stated, the difficulty lies in procuring the material requisite for a good artificial. Dyed mallard feathers are for the most part used for wings, but of late years natural ones have been largely employed, notably those of the Egyptian goose, which present a decided brown tinge to the eye, but when held up to the light, bear a much nearer resemblance to the tint of the natural. For our part we may say that for several seasons we have used the breast and side feathers of the Canadian wood duck, which, even when looked down upon, strikingly favours the peculiar green-yellow tinge of nature's original ; and when viewed from beneath, and compared with the genuine thing; the beholder cannot fail to appreciate the similarity.


The material to be employed in the construction of the body determines, more than anything else, the floating powers of the fly. Wheaten straw, when rightly tinted, is the best substance to be employed. This should be well secured at each extremity, and a hollow left in the middle of the body. Red-brown coloured silk should be used to bind and form the ribs of this. The whisks should be three strands of a partridge's tail feather; the rabbit's whiskers usually used act very detrimentally as regards hooking the fish, which, as they essay to lay hold of the fly at the tail, are foiled in a measure by the undue stiffness of the head feelers of the animal, which cannot be said to have been designed to grace the tail of anything.

As regards legs, these in a floating fly should be ample and full ; a freckled breast feather of a ginger hue, entwined with a cock's honey dun hackle, is a combination that answers remarkably well. The fly above described we have found so successful and recommended it so strongly, that it has been dubbed " Foster's Favourite " by the many who now advocate its use. The grey or black transformation of the green drake may be rendered as follows : Widgeon or dark mallard's feather, dyed pale slate colour ; body, white straw put on as above, ribbed with dark mulberry-coloured silk ; legs, two dun cock's hackles, these may be dressed from shoulders to tail ; whisks, three strands of a black cock's saddle feather.

(Green Drake). Body, straw-coloured mohair, ribbed with gold twist; wings, from a mallard's mottled feather, slightly dyed yellow ; legs, honey-dun cock's hackle ; the head of the fly to be formed with a peacock head or copper-coloured silk. To make this fly buzz, a mottled feather from a mallard, stained as above.

For the grey copy, we give the following : (Grey Drake). Body, white floss silk, ribbed with silver twist, tied on with brown silk ; tails may be made from hair from under the jaws of a brown horse ; wings, mottled feather from the mallard ; legs, a dark dun or black cock's hackle. To make this fly buzz, a dark mottled feather from the mallard. This fly may be used with success from six o'clock until twilight.

(For the Dark Mackerel). Body, copper-coloured mohair, ribbed with gold twist ; wings, from the brown mottled feather of a mallard ; tails may be got from under the jaws of a brown horse ; legs, a dark mulberry-coloured stained cock's hackle.

To take the various species of flies in their proper order, we come next to the Phryganidae order, which ranges as follows :

(February Red, or Red fly). The body of this fly is dubbed with dark -brown mohair, mixed with claret- coloured mohair ; wings, from the hen pheasant, or dotterel wing feather ; legs, dark-brown feather from a pale partridge's neck, or cock's hackle of the same colour.

(Sand fly). Body, fur from the back of a hare's neck spun sparingly on pale orange silk ; legs, a pale dull-coloured ginger hackle ; wing, from a landrail's wing feather.

(Cinnamon fly). Body, fur from a hare's neck, mixed with a small portion of sable fur, spun on pale dull orange-coloured silk ; wings, from a brown hen's wing feather ; legs, a pale dull ginger-coloured cock's hackle.

(Grannum, or Greentail). Body, fur from the hare's neck, spun on fawn-coloured silk, with two laps of green floss-silk on the tail ; legs, a pale ginger hackle ; wings, the palest part of a hen pheasant's wing feather.

The above being what are usually termed flat-wings, should be dressed as in the old method, i.e., wings last, so as to resemble the naturals.

The Perlidae order ranks next. Some of these it is best not to wing at all ; the dun hackle from the knobs of wings of various birds forming an excellent substitute for legs and wings when carefully wound on like an ordinary hackle.

(Stone fly). Body, dark-coloured fur, spun with full yellow silk, to be ribbed with some silk of same colour, unwaxed ; wings, from the quill-wing feather of a cock pheasant, or may be cut from a sheet of gutta-percha (pure), dyed in cold blue dye ;( Crayshaw's Crystal Aniline Dyes answer wonderfully well for staining feathers, etc., of delicate hues. ), legs, a black cock's hackle stained yellow ; this, if rightly made will form an excellent artificial fly, not to be excelled by any combination of feathers and fur alone

(Willow fly). Body, water rat's fur spun sparingly on yellow silk ; legs and wings made buzz, from a dark dun hackle, with a brownish tint in it, or a small dark feather from the merlin hawk's wing.

(Needle fly) Body, sable fur spun upon yellow silk, dressed hackle with small brown feather from the knob of a fieldfare's wing. This fly may be formed by a strip of the enamelled quill of a peacock's feather, which forms the alternate shades of ribs beautifully. This has been introduced by a clever southern angler

(Yellow Sally). This should never be dressed winged ; it falls upon the water like a heavy beetle would be supposed to do, therefore the wings not being extended are not seen by the fish. The most killing way is to hackle it palmerwise, with a white hen's hackle dyed light yellow, or by the small feather round a white pigeon's wing, stained as above ; the body to be yellow mohair.

The casual killers amongst the land flies may be dressed as follows :

(The Cowdung fly). To be dressed or tied on with pale dun orange-coloured silk ; body, yellow lamb's wool, mixed with a little green mohair ; wings, from a landrail's wing feather ; legs, pale dull ginger-coloured hackle.

(Oak fly, or Down-looker). Body, pale orange floss silk, tied on with pale lead-coloured silk ; wings from the wood-lark's wing feather ; legs, a furnace hackle.

(Marlow Buzz, Coch-y-bondu, of Wales). Body, peacock herl, hackle with bright furnace feather. The red tag (fancy fly) is formed by the simple addition of a red tag, or tuft of wool or feather at the tail.

(Brown Palmer, Bracken's Clock). Body, black ostrich herl, ribbed with round gold twist, hackled with red cock's hackle stained.

(Blue Bottle, or Beef Eater). Body, light blue floss silk, ribbed over with black ostrich herl and silver twist, tied on with brown silk ; wings, from an old starling's wing feather ; legs, a black hackle.

(Wrentail). Body, amber-coloured floss silk, or ginger-coloured fur from a hare's neck, ribbed with gold twist ; legs and wings made buzz from a wren's tail feather.

(Red Ant). To be tied or dressed with orange-coloured silk, which may be shown at the tail ; body, copper-coloured peacock's herl ; legs, a red cock's hackle ; wings, from a redwing's feather.

(Black Ant). To be tied on or dressed with pale dull fawn-coloured silk, which may be shown at the tail ; body, black rabbit's fur, well mixed with copper-coloured mohair ; legs, a dark furnace hackle.

(Black Gnat). Body, ostrich herl ; wings, from a starling's wing feather ; legs, a dark blue dun, or black hackle.

(Grey Gnat). Body, grey mohair, or wool hackle, with sea-swallow feather.

(Red Palmer, or Caterpillar). Body, copper-coloured peacock's herl, tied with brown silk, ribbed with gold twist, a bright brown red-stained cock's hackle, having a gold-colour when held between the eye and the light.

(The Alexandra fly). Body, flat silver twist, hackled with bright feather of green or blue hue, from the neck of a peacock; wings (if any) from the turkey's wing.

How to dress a simple Hackle :

The first effort of the fly-making aspirant should be expended upon the wingless artificials ; of these there are two kinds, the plain Hackle and the Palmer ; the former is the best to commence with, it being the easiest to make ;( Upon some waters these hackled flies are the local standard killers. This partiality is generally due to the source of supply, the local amateur reflecting the local maker's dogmas), but before attempting to describe the method, we would remind our readers that there is a vast distinction between practical and verbal teachings. Observation in these matters is superior, as a source for conveying knowledge, to reading ; therefore, where available, a few lessons from a proficient will be found highly beneficial.

The process of forming the body for a Hackle fly is not identical with the same operation in the winged one. In the construction of the latter, a small portion of the shank of the hook itself is left bare to fix the wings upon, to thereby neatly form the head. This, however, is formed, to begin in the case of the buzzy or hackle fly, by a few turns of the silk at the extre-mity of the shank ; a little blank is then left for the hackle to fit or fill in ; the body is then to be formed in the usual way. This completed, the hackle feather must be taken in hand, first having been stripped of its downy surplus fibres, the root of the stem is secured by a couple of turns of the tying silk at the shoulder of the fly. The hackle thus secured at its lower extremity, is ready for fitting in. Its point is then to be taken hold of with the tweezers, and two or more turns of the feather given ; the end is then to be secured by a turn or two of the silk, the invisible knot formed, and the fly is made, wanting only the silk end to be cut carefully away to complete the thing.

The Palmer is an artificial that is hackled from head to tail, such as the bumbles, caterpillars, etc. The process of body making is identical, in this instance, with the hackle fly just detailed, except a little addition in the shape of herl, a strand of which is wound round the gut and silk, the feather being turned over this, and the bit of tinsel or silk, by way of ribbing, going over the whole, for the sake of both use and ornament, and the fly is made.

We append a few dressings for the various bumbles and palmers, which, though in some instances deemed fancy flies, are often good killers.

(Bumble, ordinary). Hackle, white hen's, slightly stained blue ; body, peacock herl, ribbed with orange and puce-coloured silk (floss) ; tying silk, brown.

(Mulberry Bumble). Hackle, dun hen's ; body, peacock herl, ribbed with mulberry-coloured floss silk; tying silk, claret.

(Red Bumble, or Earwig). Hackle, red cock's, stained ; body, peacock herl, ribbed with gold silk ; tying silk, dark brown.

(Honey dun Bumble). Hackle, honey dun hen's ; body, peacock herl, ribbed with orange floss silk ; tying silk, yellow.

(Furnace Bumble). Hackle, furnace cock's ; body, peacock, or black herl, ribbed with dark orange silk ; tying silk, red brown.

(Black Palmer). Hackle, black cock's, ribbed with fine silver twist ; tying silk, black.

(Golden Palmer). Hackle, bright furnace ; body, peacock herl, ribbed with gold twist.

(Grey Palmer). Hackle, cock's, with black centre and whitish grey edge, ribbed with fine round silver tinsel ; tying silk, black.

A variety of palmers may be made by intermixing the materials here given for the different shades.



( Trout Flies Finis MC)