page_title: The Salmon Fly
section_title: Synopsis
hierarchical_section_title: The Salmon Fly / Synopsis
caption_attribution_description: Salmon fly tying A. Gut loop. B. Tag: here in two sections—silver twist, succeeded by floss silk. CC. Tail. Of a topping and an Indian crow feather. D1, D2, D3. "Butts." Between D1 (tail-butt) and D3 (head-butt) lies the Body divided in this type of fly into two sections by D2 (section-butt), each section having 5 Ribs of tinsel&#160;; D2 is here preceded (in order of construction) by Toucan feathers above and below. E. Hackle. Here distinguished as the "Upper section hackle." When wound over nearly the whole length of the body it is termed the "Body hackle." E2. Throat - hackle, usually written "Throat." G. Under-wing. Hereof "white-tipped" Turkey. HH. Horns. J. Sides. K. Cheeks. L. Held. 1. Is a line showing a proper length of tail and wing beyond the hook-bend. 2. Indicates the place of the first coil of the tag relatively to the hook-barb, the barb supplying the best guide to the eye in the initial operation of tying on the "tag" material. 3. Indicates the place on the hook-shank (relatively to the hook-point), at which the ends of the gut loop should terminate, leaving the gap, for adjustment. This figure is intended also to give the student a general idea of the due proportions and symmetry of a good fly, as a whole, and in its parts severally. In dressing, the terms " head wards" and "tailwards" mean towards right and left respectively, as seen in the plate. The terms "bend of the hook," " point of the hook," " point of the barb," " barb-junction," etc., explain themselves on inspection. By a mane —a common term in Ireland—is understood a tuft of mohair introduced at some place on the body after the manner of the upper group of Toucan feathers seen in the plate in rear of section-butt D2. But as this means of ornamentation is not considered favourable, I shall leave the subject alone for a while.
context_page_description: The Salmon Fly - How to Dress It and How to Use It is a fly fishing book written by George M. Kelson published in London in 1895 by Messers. Wyman & Sons, Limited. This Victorian guide to fly fish tying built up the illusion that angling for salmon required feathers of exotic bird species.
context_section_description: In The Salmon Fly, Kelson boldly and confidently distilled a lifetime of salmon fishing wisdom into this privately published work. The book contains 510 pages of text and 46 pages of illustrations plus 8 coloured plates showing 52 flies.  Many of the black & white illustrations are of fly-fishing contemporaries of Kelson, including Mr. A.V. Wells-Ridley J.P, Major J.P. Traherne and Mr. Barclay Field. The first part of the book is devoted to the techniques of tying the salmon fly as well as patterns for individual flies. Here's a typical pattern write-up:
  Jock Scott. G.S.- (John Scott.)
  TAG. Silver twist and yellow silk.
  TAIL. A topping and Indian Crow.
  BUTT. Black herl.
  BODY. In two equal sections : No. 1, of yellow silk (butter-cup colour) ribbed with narrow silver tinsel, and butted with Toucan above and below, and black herl : No. 2, black silk, ribbed with broad silver tinsel.
  HACKLE. A natural black hackle, from centre.
  THROAT. Gallina.
  WINGS. Two strips of black Turkey with white tips, Golden Pheasant tail, Bustard, grey Mallard, Peacock (sword feather) Swan dyed blue and yellow, red Macaw, Mallard, and a topping.
  SIDES. Jungle.
  CHEEKS. Chatterer.
  HORNS. Blue Macaw.
  HEAD. Black herl.
  It is only just possible to find a river or a catch, be it in pools,
  streams, rapids, or flats, shaded or exposed to the light of day, in which a
  "Jock Scott," when dressed properly, has not made for itself a splendid
  reputation.
  The second part of the book is devoted to the practical aspects of fishing for salmon with the fly—locating fish, casting techniques, catching and landing fish and various accessories and equipment.  The Salmon Fly also includes 46 full page black and white advertisements for mostly angling and sporting pursuits.
caption: Illustration of parts from the book
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