Blacker's art of fly making, &c. : comprising angling, & dyeing of colours, with engravings of salmon & trout flies

This 19th‑century manual offers a hands‑on look at the gentle art of tying salmon and trout flies. Blacker walks the reader through every step, from selecting materials to the precise motions needed to fashion a hook, with clear, easy‑to‑follow directions that invite even a complete beginner to try their first fly.

The volume also devotes a full section to dyeing the delicate hackles, presenting simple recipes for a spectrum of hues—from soft yellows to deep crimsons—so each pattern can be matched to the season’s insects. Detailed plates illustrate the finished flies for each month, and the author adds notes on the rivers and lakes where they prove most effective, giving a geographic flavor to the craft.

Beyond practical instruction, the book captures the Victorian spirit of angling, complete with engraved illustrations that feel like a quiet walk along Irish streams. Readers who enjoy both the technical and the poetic side of fishing will find it both useful and charming.