Second: The gut carefully examined, and
tried by moderately pulling it, in proportion to
the weight expected to be held by it. This
precaution will frequently save the angler
much disappointment, by discovering defects
not apparent to the eye. Third : The dubbing
properly mixed to the exact colour of the body
of the natural fly, a small proportion of which
should be moistened, and held up to the light ;
for the camlets and furs, when wet, generally
become several shades darker than when in a
dry state, and in some instances assume a
totally different hue. Fourth : The silk well
waxed with a colour lighter than the body of
the fly ; and a hook cautiously tried as to tem-
per, and prudently selected as to size. Fifth :
The wings must be stripped from the feathers
by an even but sudden pull. Every thing being
thus in a state of readiness, the hook must be
first fastened to the finest end of the gut with



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waxed silk, beginning (if for a hackle-fly only)
at the bend, and working towards the head of
the hook ; when, within about three turns of
which, the hackle must be fastened in, and
the winding of the silk continued until it
reaches the end of the shank. Having reached
this point, it must be turned again, as if to
retrace the same ground for two turns, which
will form the head of the fly.
