TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



a two-quart china or enameled ware pitcher, avoiding, as 

 far as possible, getting any sediment into the pitcher, if 

 there is any. To the fluid in the pitcher add a full pint of 

 clear cold water (not ice water), now stir the ink and 

 water with a clean white pine stick or paddle, afterward 

 strain the solution through at least four thicknesses of 

 cheesecloth. The dye is now ready to receive the leader 

 that is to be dyed, and it is better to suspend the leader in 

 the solution in such a way that it can be raised from time 

 to time so that the effect of the dye upon the leader can 

 be observed. 



When washing the leader taken from the dye great 

 care must be observed to remove all of the free dye cling- 

 ing to the leader, and this is best accomplished by using 

 three sets of cool water. After washing, press the leader 

 between two cotton cloths to remove all moisture, then 

 stretch the leader out to dry, preferably in such a manner 

 that it will not come in contact with anything except the 

 hooks that hold it at each end. When the leader is thor- 

 oughly dry, take it down, coil and put it away to be tested 

 in about a week in the manner already described. 



Any number of leaders can be dyed at the same time. 

 It is my custom to dye about twenty with one solution. 



How to preserve leaders: 



All silkworm gut leaders, when they are dry, are best 

 preserved by keeping them in a dark place. They should 

 be stored where they will not touch each other and where 

 they will not be subjected to any great artificial heat. 



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