42 BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. 



the nets should be well coated with varnish so that 

 the hook may not become hanked. 



For wading in rough places^ should the gaff or net be 

 affixed to a good stout stick it will afford great assistance. 



Our favourite outfit for salmon-fishing is : — An 18 ft. 

 6 in. Castleconnell rod ; a good large reel Avith handle 

 attached to plate^ weight 22 oz. ; 100 yds. of silk line 

 dressed with boiled linseed-oil ; and a cast composed of 

 2 yds. of treble twisted and 1 yd. of single gut, the 

 stoutest and roundest obtainable. 



With this tackle an excellent cast can be made of a 

 length to satisfy most people and a fish played with 

 confidence, while the weight is not such as will cause 

 the angler to feel distressed at the end of his day ; 

 although, should he be compelled to thread his way 

 through woods or over rocky cliffs, he can afford to 

 give his whole attention to the foothold, the tackle 

 being tough enough to resist any raps it may receive by 

 contact with the surrounding obstacles. 



Of course it must not be inferred that rod and 

 tackle are advocated of such strength as will enable the 

 angler to march headlong through rough country with- 

 out any chance of breakage ; but we heartily detest to 

 have drawing-room articles put into our hands for use 

 over rough country, the safety of which is an incessant 

 anxiety, and, sooner or later, with the use of such the 

 angler is certain to be done out of half a day^s fishing. 



We have three such rods as described above, and 

 although they have had nothing beyond ordinary con- 

 sideration shown them, are as sound as on the day 



