THE BROOK-ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT 13 



own favourite is an n ft. fly rod built by the late 

 Mr. Walbran, of Leeds, and cost 2is. The butt 

 is ash, middle piece hickory, and top lancewood, 

 and it is stained the darkest shade of green. As 

 to winch and line, any reel which balances the 

 rod will answer ; perhaps preferably one with a 

 light check, with the usual waterproofed silk 

 fly-line. A landing-net is, of course, indispens- 

 able, and the angler can use the one which best 

 suits him. My net is a primitive affair, simply a 

 2 1 ft. handle of lancewood without knuckle-joint 

 or clip, attached to a 14 in. cane ring, and carried 

 on Mr. E. M. Tod's* plan, 

 viz., slung through two large 

 brass rings fastened to the 

 creel at top and bottom of 

 opposite corners. It never 

 gets out of order, and can 

 be brought into operation 

 despatch. 



Next comes the gear. For dry-fly work, casts 

 need not exceed 5 ft., and another foot may be 

 conceded for wet-fly casts when two flies are 

 mounted. The gut should be of the roundest and 

 soundest, and 2 x tapered to 3 x would be just 



with 



Fig. i. 



the utmost 



* Author of " Wet- Fly Fishing Methodically Treated." 



