45^ AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



of the lines most in use, also, will be given under the appro- 

 priate heading. Gimp is extremely useful on which to 

 mount gangs, spoons, etc. , for the more voracious fish, such 

 as Pickerel, Pike, Mascalonge, etc. The difficulty in pro- 

 curing good gimp is rather considerable, if it be bought from 

 the ordinary retailers. There is much adulteration going on, 

 and the core of the gimp, which should be pure silk, is too 

 often nothing but a mixture of silk and cotton. The best 

 plan I know of is to buy banjo strings; these are splendidly 

 strong, and though more expensive, are incomparably more 

 satisfactory than the ordinary silvered gimp. If the silver 

 brightness is too ostensible, it may be turned to a dark 

 neutral color by the use of the following solution: bichloride 

 platinum, one part; water, ten parts or sulphide of potas- 

 sium, one part; water, ten parts, will do as well. 



A splendid substitute for fine gimp is a banjo string with 

 core of fine steel wire covered with silvered wire. It makes 

 the best kind of trace for Pickerel or Mascalonge. 



SECTION 3 WAXES, VARNISHES, LINE-DRESSINGS AND STAINS. 



In order to clear the ground as I go, it is now proper to 

 speak of the waxes that are necessary to the fly-tier and 

 general maker of tackle. The old-time wax was that used by 

 shoemakers; and for stickiness and generally reliable endur- 

 ance it is, without question, as good as any. But it some- 

 times becomes necessary to show the color of the tying silk, 

 and especially does this natural color show to advantage on 

 flies of delicate colors, and on light-hued rods. This being 

 so, a colorless wax was the desideratum, and the following 

 are recipes I have used with satisfaction. I give them in 

 their order of excellence, according to my experience: 



1. One pound clean white resin; melt it over a slow fire. 

 Four oz. diachylon; add to the resin and stir till thoroughly 

 incorporated, then add two ozs. Bergundy pitch. Pour out 

 into a vessel of cold water and pull till cold. The more it is 



