This book is included in the Self Reliance Hunting, Skinning & Tanning section.
Preface I know not how to apologise for submitting a Second Edition of this little Book to the notice of the Angling few, after the appearance of so many by clever writers, except the many calls I had for It, and a sincere desire of Improving farther upon a craft that has not hitherto been clearly promulgated by a real practitioner; consequently my great object is to benefit and amuse my readers, by giving them something practical, which at the present time may be particularly wanted by those who love to make their own flies, whose wants, without doubt, will be found sufficiently supplied In this book; the tyro will appreciate it as valuable to him, and the senior angler who may, perchance, be in possession of it, and who may be singularly fond of making his flies, and amusing himself dyeing the hackles and colours, etc., will, I am persuaded, consider it a treasure. My endeavours have been unceasing for many years past, in striving to please the great Salmon Fishers and Trout Fishers of this Country, and I must confess that my labours have not been in vain; they have generously conferred upon me their very kind patronage and good will, benefits for which I hold them in very great estimation. Under these circumstances, I have taken much pains to write the book in a befitting manner to suit their tastes and purposes, although my inability in many instances has been an obstacle, nevertheless with all my faults I claim the title of Fisherman, an humble and unimportuned name which no reasonable dispensation can deprive me of. From my boyhood, I took great delight in ranging along the banks of the beautiful and romantic streams of my native land, Ireland; and having also been for many years a skilful Fly Fisher of no little commendation, in both Great Britain and Hibernia, it is my desire to impart to the world, plainly and easily, the knowledge I have acquired, that all those who wish to become masters of the art, may, by patience and practice, and a close adherence to the instructions I shall lay down, derive the fullest benefit from my experience. I have endeavoured in the following treatise on Fly-making, to divest the subject, as far as possible, of all technicalities and superfluities; at the same time, I have entered into such full details in the construction of the Fly, that by adopting the process I have pointed out, and following the instructions I have given, the aspirants to the art of Flymaking may speedily become proficients. In this little book there will be found nothing imaginary, but it is purely written from the practice of angling, so that I may without scruple, justly entitle it The Art of Fly-making, Angling, and Dyeing of Colours. It is also interspersed with many useful remarks that will no doubt agreeably entertain my readers. No man has taken such pains to improve upon the angler's craft as I; on every article in the whole range of fishing tackle I have made some improvement on rods, flies, lines, reels, and tackle of every sort; and in these pages have left a lasting memorial of my handicraft to the fly-fisher, from whom I have hidden nothing that might retard him in his progress, and who will appreciate it for the great deal of matter propounded in little compass to prevent incumbrance; that the lovers of fly fishing, which has superior claims, may have an opportunity of keeping it in their side pocket,—to be convenient and handy when on their piscatory excursions, the exercise and variety of which will be found advantageous to the health, and the calming of the mind—things not to be purchased; enjoying at the same time the harmonious notes of the warblers of the grove, and musing upon the diversity of the prospects around, while straying along the beautiful streams and vallies of this delightful country. The list of flies I have given, will be found very valuable, and the tyro will take great delight in imitating these flies necessary for use, and suiting the colours exactly to each, keeping to their symmetrical forms as they appear with his light materials. This beautiful branch of fly-making, peculiarly my own, cannot fail to perfect the angler who is scientific and ingenious, the result of which will be never-failing success. I have added to the art of fly-making full instructions, and the most approved receipts for dyeing mohair, pighair, feathers, and other materials most useful and appropriate for imitating the natural flies and stuffs the most killing for Trout and Salmon; and which will retain their brilliancy through all the vicissitudes to which they may be exposed. To bring the Engravings of the flies to the greatest perfection, I have stood at the elbow of the artist who executed this part of the work, that they might be turned out exact to my own models, which renders them and the descriptions more intelligible, as the shade in the fibre of each feather is shown in the plate, in the clearest and finest manner imaginable, that it may be properly seen how these artificial flies are constructed,—the resemblance of those beautiful ones, the productions of the Great Author of Nature, that Trout and Salmon do love to feed upon. I have also given the principal rivers of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, with the flies best adapted to each, which will enable the fisher to have all things in readiness on his arrival at their localities, and sally out on the finny tribe fearless of disappointment; and for the younger branch of anglers, I have shown the various sorts of fish, with the tackle and baits best adapted to catch them. The catechism of fly making which I have introduced will be found very curious and instructive to the young beginner, and will afford him every opportunity of retaining the whole process, that when rehearsed in the mind, and perfectly understood, he may apply, with more certain facility, the hand to both material and hook. Published by the Author, WILLIAM BLACKEE, At 54, Dean Street, Soho, 1855. Contents Preface The Art of Fly Making An Easy Method to make the Trout Fly An Easy Method of making a Plain Salmon Fly To make the Trout Fly, in the best and most approved method To make the Palmer, or Double-Hackle Fly How to make the Salmon Fly, as shown in the Beautiful Plate of Engravings on Salmon Hooks Process of making the Gaudy Salmon Fly To make the Winged Larva A Catechism of Fly-Making The Trout Flies for the Season Flies for March Flies for April Flies for May Flies for June Flies for July Flies for August Fishing Rods and Fly Fishing Fly Fishing for Salmon An Account of the Salmon, and its Varieties The Salmon Fry A Description of the Fifteen Salmon Flies Engraved in the Plates Spring Flies Salmon Rivers The River Tweed The River Shannon The Lakes of Clare The Lakes of Killamey Lough Curran, Waterville Connamara and Ballynahinch Ballyna Ballyshannon The Rivers Bush and Bann The River Bann Lakes of Westmeath The River Lee, at Cork Salmon Rivers in Scotland The River Tay The Dee and Don The River Spey The Findhom Rivers and Lakes adjacent to Fort William, on the Caledonian Canal Salmon Flies for Fort William, etc Salmon Flies for the Ness The River Shin The River Thurso The River Esk Loch Leven The Eiver Allan Loch Awe and River The Rivers Irvine, Girvan, and Stincher, in Ayrshire Rivers of Wales.—The Conway The River Dovey The River Tivey The Wye, Monmouth The River Severn The Trent Rivers of York and Derby The Hodder Rivers of Derby The Rivers Wandle and Coin Bait Fishing.—The River Thames Perch Barbel Pike Roach Dace Carp Chub Gudgeons and Minnows Baits The Art of Dyeing Fishing Colours To Dye Yellow To Dye Brown To Dye a Yellow-Brown To Dye Blue To Dye Red To Dye Orange To Dye Purple or Violet To Dye Crimson To Dye Scarlet Crimson Red in Grain To Dye Green Drake Feathers and Fur To Dye Claret Another way to Dye Claret To Dye Black To Dye Greens of various Shades To Dye Lavender or Slate Dun, etc Blues A Silver Grey A Coffee or Chestnut To Dye Olives and a Mixture of Colours A Concise way of Dyeing Colours The Materials necessary for Artificial Fly Making End of Preview. 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