FLY-FISHING TACKLE. 43 



they were made, while we should be sorry to say how 

 many rods of other patterns we have seen part com- 

 pany while casting a line or playing a fish. 



These rods have upon many occasions been pressed to 

 uproot a turnip growing in the field behind, or a tree 

 or bush by the waterside, but have merely expressed 

 their inability to perform such feats by a polite refusal, 

 whereas they might have resented the imposition of 

 such tasks in a much more unpleasant manner; for 

 this we respect them. 



Hair Casts are used in some parts of the country, but 

 the use of them is dying out, and good hair is difficult to 

 get. The great advantage claimed for them is that they 

 do not show so much in the water as gut, and fall lightly. 



They are very elastic and cast remarkably straight, 

 but the great objection we have to them is that they 

 arc so inclined to float on the surface. 



Knot attaching Cast to Fly. 



There are several ways of knotting the cast to the 

 fly, but we prefer that given in the drawing, as by no 

 possibility can the gut draw out, consequently the 

 angler has only breakage to fear. 



When we have been obliged to use a reel too light 

 for the rod, a few ounces of sheet lead wound round 

 the butt below tlie reel have been of great assistance. 



