ANGLING FOR TROUT. 67 



made, as they are not only weaker, but streak the 

 water in moving through it, and frighten the fishes. 

 Choose such gut as is round and smooth, of a clear 

 and semi-pellucid appearance, and that is free from 

 yellowish spots, very much like iron-moulds. The 

 best proof of the strength of gut is its hardness ; bite it, 

 and if it resists the teeth like wire, that is, does not 

 easily give way, it is good. This should always be 

 done when a thread of gut is taken from the skein ; 

 for such as are quickly bitten through, and make little 

 resistance to the teeth, will not hold a fish in a proper 

 manner. Weed is much thicker, and is of a duller, 

 though of a whiter appearance. At first it is very 

 strong, but does not keep so well as gut. Choose your 

 weed as has been directed regarding gut, and take 

 especial care to keep them both in situations free from 

 damp ; for, if once mildewed, they are never after to 

 be trusted, though they may bite tough. 



Some object to grass, as being apt to grow brittle 

 and to kink in using, but with proper management 

 this may be obviated in the following manner: Take 

 as many of the finest as can be got ; put them into 

 any vessel, and pour therein the scummed fat of a pot 

 wherein fresh, but by no means salt, meat has been 

 boiled ; when they have lain three or four hours, take 

 them out one by one, and stripping the grease off with 

 the finger and thumb (but do not wipe them) stretch 

 each grass as long as it will yield ; coil them up in 

 rings, and lay them by ; and they will become nearly as 

 small, fully as round, and much stronger than the best 

 single hairs. To preserve them moist, keep them in a 



