14 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



out of broken fragments a new casting line. Very possibly 

 this is caused by the fish being more than usually on the 

 feed. How disagreeable to be compelled at such a time to 

 halt ! better far to spend ten minutes with the dry end of 

 gut in your mouth, the more rapidly to render the hairs fit 

 for knotting, and to know how to put them together after- 

 wards, than be obliged to cease. 



The rings upon your rod should be large and not too 

 numerous; five are sufficient for the lower joints, and 

 about five more for the tip, supposing it to be a rod 

 thirteen feet in length, and in three pieces. In America 

 I lately saw rods ringed on both sides, so that if after 

 unusual hard work and constant use a tendency to warp 

 was evinced, you altered your reel to the reverse side and 

 thus counteracted it. However, the better plan, I should 

 say, would be to use the reverse sides day about. The 

 only objection to this double arrangement of rings is 

 additional weight, but that must be very trifling. 



Having now described the rod, the reel, the line, and 

 the cast, I approach a subject that I hesitate to touch, 

 viz. fly-tying, for I do not think that anyone can become 

 an expert but through constant practice, after having 

 received numerous elementary lessons from an adept. I 

 believe I can tie a fair fly ; but how long do you suppose 

 it was before I reached my present excellence ? Years ; 

 and even now I discover wrinkles and new methods of 

 which I was not previously aware ; however, one rule may 

 be laid down : never to take a turn of the silk round your 

 hook without purpose, or without giving it sufficient 

 strength to keep it in its place and perform the duty 



