6 THE ANGLER S GUIDE. 



to have rods neat, and to be depended on, must keep 

 one for trolling, another for Barbel, Perch, or other 

 heavy Fish ; and also a fine light cane rod for Roach 

 and small Fish, as well as those for fly-fishing. In the 

 choice of lines, take those that are round and even, 

 and without spots or thick bumps, whether they be 

 made of gut or horse-hair j in choice of gut let it be 

 clear, transparent, round, and smooth, and if you try 

 it between your teeth it will be of a wirey hardness, if 

 good. In respect to colour, the natural colour of the 

 gut is good, but if you wish it dyed, I prefer the pale 

 sorrel and light slate : to colour which take the follow- 

 ing directions. — ^To stain hair or gut of a pale sorrel 

 colour, let it remain a few minutes in a cup of strong 

 coffee or black tea boiling hot, and it will have the de- 

 sired effect. To give the pale slate colour, mix boiling 

 water and black ink together in equal parts ; put the 

 gut or hair in it for one moment, and you have the de- 

 sired colour 5 or if you wish to have it of a greyish or 

 water colour, take some boiling water and dissolve a 

 small quantity of indigo and alum therein, and when 

 the same is cold, dip the hair or gut in it till you see 

 it has acquired the tint you wish. In respect to the 

 choice of hooks, there are five different kinds used in 

 angling : namely, the Kirby, the Kendal, the Sneck- 

 bend, the Limerick, and the Eel-hook. The barb of 

 the Kendal-hook is thought too short and too far from 

 the point ; the barb of the Limerick is thought too 

 long and rank j the lateral projection of the barb in 

 the Sneckbend-hook is objected to by many j the 



