snells etc. Pull loop (C) through loop (B) Figs. 5 and 6.

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are about the easiest and most secure knots for
making leaders, the ends are in the centre of the finished knot and
can be clipped close.

Figs. 10, 11, and 12, the figure eight knot, is the best for tying flies
to the leader, it won't slip, and the pull is in line with the hook
shank.

{62}

MY FAVORITE FLIES

Quite frequently I am asked which fly I like the best, or which
particular patterns I would choose should I carry only a few flies with
me on a trip. That is rather a difficult question to answer. The
season, the type of fishing and location must be taken into
consideration.

There must be some reason for so many hundreds of patterns. I hardly
believe that any half dozen patterns can be used with constant success
throughout the season, even in one particular locality. There are times,
when fish are feeding, that they will take anything; again one may
change fly after fly without success, when finally a fly will be tried
that will take fish on every cast. Suppose that particular fly wasn't
included in the chosen few, the answer is obvious.

However, I will endeavor to choose six patterns each of the various
styles, and to give my reasons for their choice, but here I assure you
there will always be many more patterns in my fly box for further trial,
after I have exhausted my favorite six.

Beginning with dry flies, my first choice would be {63} a Quill Gordon,
on a size 16 hook. This fly closely represents the numerous duns that
are on or about the water, to some extent, during the entire season. I
have little faith in color in the dry fly, except light or dark shades.
I do believe that the size and shape have a great deal more to do with
the success of a dry fly than color. I have proven to my own
satisfaction that a Quill Gordon sparsely dressed as it should be, but
tied with a black hackle and yellow mallard wings, is just as successful
as the customary dressing.

My second choice would be the Red Ant. Although this fly belongs to the
order Hymenoptera, it can be used when many of the Diptera order are on
the water, such as Cowdung, Blue bottle, Bee, etc. This family all have
flat wings and make an entirely different appearance than the
aforementioned Quill Gordon. I tie the Red Ant on a size 14 hook. I
build the body first of red silk floss, shape it like the body of an
ant, give it a couple of coats of clear lacquer and