2 WET OR SUNK FLY-FISHING. 



in the least degree too heavy. The neglect of 

 this caution is bound to lead to slovenly and 

 therefore unsuccessful fishing. The moment the 

 arm gets tired the casting becomes clumsy, the 

 interest flags, and if a trout be induced to rise he 

 is either noticed too late or struck in such a list- 

 less fashion that he escapes without difficulty. 



EEEL. In selecting a reel it is necessary to see 

 that it is of the proper weight to balance the rod, 

 and runs easily. A ratchet of moderate strength 

 is of great assistance in running a heavy trout, but 

 if too strong it is a constant source of danger. 



LINE. The line may be of hair, silk and hair, 

 undressed silk, or waterproofed silk ; all of these 

 are good. Its weight and thickness should bear 

 some proportion to the size and stiffness of the 

 rod; and except in the case of the very finest 

 lines, one or two yards of tapered twisted gut 

 should be spliced to the end. Experience will 

 show that this is an important aid to casting. 



GUT. The gut casting-line, for a beginner, 

 should not be more than nine feet long. The 

 first two or three strands should be rather 

 thicker than the others, and should taper gradu- 

 ally down from the end of the twisted gut. 

 The remainder should be of the best quality that 

 can be obtained, special care being taken to 

 ensure that its different lengths are perfectly 

 round and free from blemishes. As to the thick- 



