FISHING ETCETERAS. 121 



one need be advised as to the form of a coat, which is mainly a 

 matter of fancy, whilst as to the covering for his seat and legs 

 the ingenious inventions of modern waterproofers have luckily 

 given us a variety of choice. 



First, there is the Boat-Trouser, covering everything from 

 waist to ankle : a garment from which I have experienced too 

 much comfort to speak or think lightly. . . . But the seat is 

 the weak point. 



Secondly : the same, but cut off at about mid-calf, so as to 

 adapt it for use with long leather or india-rubber boots. 



Thirdly, the Boat- 'Kilt,' a length of waterproof either cloth 

 or rubber fastened round the waist and hips ' Kilt-wise,' but 

 longer. The military kilt only comes down to the middle of 

 the knee, which is too short for our purpose. 



Lastly and best the 'skirt, 7 (with a side 'placket' hole), 

 which the wearer gets into and out of, as a woman does with 

 her skirt. The skirt comes somewhere about 10 or n inches 

 below the knee, or, say, 9 or 10 inches from the ground, 

 according to pattern of legs and skirt. 



Having tried all, I * plump ' for the boat-j&> It need 

 not weigh more than two Ibs., and one can comfortably walk in 

 it to and from the boat if it is raining, and the distance not 

 more than a mile or so. High boots or gaiters may be worn 

 with it, if desired, for more complete protection, but personally 

 I never find the necessity for these works of supererogation as 

 the skirt spreads out over and beyond the knees umbrella-wise 

 and thus under ordinary circumstances protects the legs and feet. 



Messrs. Malloch, of Perth, make a speciality of some of these 

 garments, and also make them very light (a great point in 

 practical comfort). 



So now I have said my say about rods and rod woods, reels, 

 reel lines, hooks, knots, and angling paraphernalia generally; and 

 I repeat that I am not so sanguine as to suppose that anything 

 I have adduced will convert a single veteran to deviate a hair's 

 breadth from his own approved patterns and theories, to add a 

 few eyed hooks to his fly-case, or to shorten the length of 



