492 



AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



FLY-FISHING CONTINUED. 



The Leader (b). — A few words in the heading "Gut" have 

 already been said in regard to the leader or length of gut which 

 interposes between the fly and the reel-line. It need only be 

 added that its selection as to gauge should be dependent on 

 the state of the water and the size of the fish expected to be 

 taken. If the water be low and clear a fine leader is mani- 

 festly necessary. If it is roily, and the fish run large, a 

 thicker one is advisable. It should at least be as long as the rod. 

 The Reel- LINE (c). — It is almost impossible to single out 

 the best makes of line. My personal preference is for those 

 made by Mr. E. J. Martin, of Rockville, Conn., and for the 

 Acme copper gimp-centered line of Foster Bros., Ashborne, 

 Derbyshire, England. The latter is heavy without bulk, and 

 is exceedingly easy to "lay out" on the surface of the water. 



The Reel (d) . — So many 

 splendid reels are now on the 

 market, that the task of se- 

 lection is almost invidious. 

 The diagrams show those I 

 use myself. Fig. 33 is the Au- 

 tomatic. This operates au- 

 tomatically when a fish is 

 hooked and it is desired to 

 reel in. The whole opera- 

 tion is performed by one 

 hand. The little finger bears 

 on the brake, and the reel be- 

 gins to wind in; and the fish 

 has a spring operating against 

 him all the while. Fig. 34 



Fig. 33- 



