with a very slight twist, is especially made
for fly-tying; this will work much better on the smaller hooks. Fur for
fur bodies, which formerly had to be plucked from the hide, dyed the
desired color, and spun on the waxed tying silk, can now be obtained in
all standard fly colors. It is called Spun Fur, and is very convenient
to use in this manner.

QUILL BODIES: Quill makes an excellent and very lifelike body,
especially on dry flies. The quill from the eyed peacock tail feather is
mostly used. That taken from the eye of the feather when stripped of its
fibers has a two tone effect, and when wound upon the hook without
overlapping makes a very lifelike and delicate appearing body.

{7}

[Illustration: Page sized photograph of feathers.]

{8}

HERL BODIES: Both peacock and ostrich herl is used for bodies.
These make a fuzzy body. Tie in one or two strands by the tip end and
wind on edgewise.

HACKLES: These are the most important part of the dry fly. Only those
from the neck of a mature cock are satisfactory. Hackles for the dry fly
must be stiff with very little or no web. With such hackles a dry fly
can be sparsely dressed as it should be and still maintain its natural
balance and floating qualities. On the other hand, a wet fly should
sink readily, and should be made with very soft webby hackles. These
absorb water quickly, and have better action in the water. Contrary to
the customary way to tie hackles on the wet fly, as explained in the
chapter "Wet Flies", I find it very convenient and economical to strip
the fibers from any size hackle, clip off the butt ends to the desired
length and tie them on the bottom of the hook, the same as buck tail is
tied on. As wet flies should have hackles only on the bottom or
underneath side, many hackles that are otherwise too large can be used
in this way.

TAILS: A few fibers from a golden or silver pheasant neck tippet, whisks
from a hackle feather, a strip of wing or breast feather, a few hairs,
etc., are used for tails. Many of the standard patterns are tied without
tails; however, on all of my dry flies, I tie three or four stiff fibers
or hairs. They balance the fly and help it to float much better.

{9}

[Illustration: Page sized photograph of feathers.]

{10}

CHEEKS OR SHOULDERS: As per Fig. 9, Diagram 1, these are used on a
great many of the fancy flies. These are straps of one or several
feathers of contrasting colors. Jungle cock feathers, gold