F.F. for the Helmsdale E

The following flies are listed in Francis Francis's book " A Book On Angling" from 1867.

For the river Helmsdale

Nr.1 :

Tag : Silver twist and orange floss.
Tail : A topping.
Butt : Black herl.

Body : Three turns of orange floss, the rest medium brown Pig's wool.
Ribs : Silver tinsel.
Hackle : Black, small.
Throat : A Grouse hackle.
Wings : A slice of Golden Pheasant tippet, strips of Bustard, Pintail, Golden Pheasant tail, Gallina, and yellow Swan.

A topping over all.
Horns : Blue Macaw.
Head : Black.

Nr.2 :

Tag : Silver twist.
Tail : A topping.
Butt : Black herl.
Body : Gold coloured floss, one thrird, the rest pea-green Pig's wool (roughish and picked out).
Ribs : Silver twist.
Throat : A Grouse hackle (thickish).
Wings : A bit of tippet, strips of Golden Pheasant tail and Teal, Plenty of orange sprigs and a topping over all.
Cheeks : Two short Jungle Cock.

Nr.3 : (The wing is the same as previous, with the addition of Gallina).

Tag : Silver tinsel and Orange floss.
Tail : A topping.
Butt : Blue herl.
Body : Three turns ruby floss,olive and then medium blue Mohair in equal parts (roughish and picked out).
Ribs : Silver twist.
Throat : A Grouse hackle.
Wings : A bit of tippet, strips of Golden Pheasant tail and Teal, plenty of orange sprigs and a topping over all.
Sides : Gallina.
Cheeks : Two short Jungle Cock.
Head : Black.