58 THE SALMON 



colour of my limbs, but when wading in the Tweed or 

 Deveron in the early spring, have sometimes found it 

 advisable to come out of the water and dance about 

 the bank to warm myself, in spite of my having taken 

 advantage of Mackintosh's obnoxious invention and 

 being clad in the warmest wool and homespun. But 

 I leave my readers to choose between the advice of 

 my honest friend and his effeminate disciple. 



A good form of hat is a cork-lined helmet, similar 

 to those worn in tropical climates. The shoot at the 

 back throws off the rain, and it is very handy to stick 

 flies inside. I tried one of these hats accidentally on 

 my return from Egypt, and have used one of the same 

 pattern ever since, except in a strong wind. A good 

 sized bag with canvas for fish on one side, and an 

 india-rubber pocket for the reel and boxes on the 

 other, and a net with a telescope handle with a 

 knuckle joint at the end, and a clip to hang it by the 

 bag, is convenient if you are alone and carry your own 

 things. The gaff can be taken in the pocket and 

 screwed into the net handle when required, while 

 the net saves you many a sea trout too small to 

 gaff, as these tender-mouthed fish often get off if you 

 have to lift or drag them to land. The gaff, crede 

 expcrto, can always be screwed on without difficulty 

 at some period during the playing of the fish. 



