THE ANGLER'S OUTFIT 33 



trout to 3x will about meet the question. 

 As the line forms a continuous taper with 

 the rod, the tapered cast is in keeping with 

 it. Should a fish, or careless handling on 

 the angler's part, break the cast, a tapered 

 one will not be altogether lost, for the gut 

 will part at the thinnest point ; a level cast' 

 on the other hand, may break close to the 

 line. There are various cheap substitutes 

 for gut on the market, but none of them are 

 to be recommended. Good gut is more or 

 less expensive, but the best is the cheapest 

 in the long run. Before being used or tied, 

 gut should be soaked in cold water until it be- 

 comes soft and pliant, otherwise it will break. 



>. The position of the flies on the cast ; wet 



fly and dry fly fishing. 

 In wet fly fishing, i.e. when using the flies 

 partially or wholly submerged, three flies are 

 fastened to the cast by short lengths of gut ; 

 on a small stream two flies are often sufficient. 

 The end fly is known as the tail fly, and the 

 two above it as the droppers. Roughly 

 speaking, the first dropper should be attached 

 about 3 feet above the tail fly, and the second 

 dropper the same distance above the first ; 

 this distance may be shortened on a small 

 stream, or two flies may be used instead of 



