MISCELLANEOUS IMPLEMENTS. 329 



with the metal-clip, and two leaves of heavy porous cloth 

 for drying wet flies. It is also furnished with large pockets, 

 and compartments for leaders, and snelled hooks. It has 

 a capacity for one hundred flies, and is made of a uniform 

 quality, which is of the highest grade. 



The " Holberton " fly-book, of Conroy, Bissett & Mal- 

 leson, is one similar in style and construction, and is a 

 first rate article. The price of this book depends on the 

 material used in its construction, its capacity for a greater 

 or less number of flies, and the length of the book. One 

 holding four dozen flies is large enough for all practical 

 purposes in Black Bass angling. 



Creel, or Fish-Basket. 



For fly-fishing, or bait-fishing, when wading a stream 

 or fishing from the bank, a creel is very useful and con- 

 venient for holding the angler's catch. Fish are preserved 

 in much better shape, condition and appearance by its use, 

 and it is altogether more satisfactory than the shiftless 

 way of " stringing " the Bass, and allowing them to be- 

 come water-soaked and flabby, by immersing the "string" 

 in the warm and shallow water near the shore, or even 

 by "towing" them after the angler, if wading. 



For Black Bass, the largest Trout-creels will answer 

 every purpose; say Nos. 3 or 4, having a capacity of 

 twenty or twenty-five pounds. The shoulder-strap should 

 be leather or webbing, with a shoulder-pad, to prevent 

 cutting or bruising the shoulder. 



Fish-baskets or creels should always be well washed, 

 and carefully dried after use, to keep them clean and 

 sweet. When washing them, a little carbonate of soda or 

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