LANDING-NETS AND EQUIPMENT 241 



of a rock covered with slimy moss. A dangerous 

 fall in or along the stream may prove no light mat- 

 ter for the lone angler, far from camp or farmhouse. 

 A simple emergency expedient is to wrap strips of 

 canvas or burlap or bind pieces of rope around the 

 feet of rubber boots. Sand works into the meshes 

 of the cloth and gives it a good gripping surface; 

 or a pair of woolen socks may be worn over the 

 boots while they last. 



Don't neglect to have along with you some kind 

 of a rubber-patching outfit. These are sold by the 

 tackle-man and also by rubber-goods people; the 

 familiar tire-patches and cement will serve the pur- 

 pose pretty well. Good waders cost money; we 

 wonder why a fellow couldn't make something that 

 would serve, of ten-ounce duck patterning after 

 an old pair of boughten goods having lap-seams 

 and being waterproofed with the beeswax, paraffine, 

 and turpentine compound or something even better 

 for the purpose. 



Waders are all right generally when ac- 

 tually wading, but are cumbersome to walk in; be- 

 sides, walking subjects them to excessive wear and 

 tear. And, frequently, as much or more walking 

 along stream is done as walking in the water. On 

 the other hand, wading without waders is chilly busi- 

 ness during early Spring fishing. The only solu- 

 tion here is to carry extra footwear in the shape of 

 something light that can be slipped into when you 



