CASTING-LINE. 59 



river rolls at our feet. But as it is agreed we 

 try to-morrow for salmon, we have plenty to do 

 between this and " roosting " time in the prepara- 

 tion of tackle. By the bye, we must make a 

 gut bottom, casting, or foot-line, as that article 

 is denominated, which we use at the end of the 

 reel-line, and to the other extremity of which the 

 fly is to be attached. Yonder is my fishing case ; 

 open it, and in that portfolio you will find every 

 thing labelled in orderly parchment packets. 

 Give out of it the requisites for a salmon casting- 

 line, twelve lengths of treble-twisted gut (which 

 I should tell you, are composed of three strands 

 of trout-gut) of different degrees of stoutness, 

 and three lengths of the thickest and longest 

 single pieces marked " salmon." Put these all 

 in warm water, and leave them to soak awhile, 

 so as to take off its brittleness, and liability to 

 crack or snap in bending or knotting. 



Herb. But wait. Have I given you the right 

 kind ? for I see that there are various colours. 

 What advantage can that afford ? 



Theoph. Look you : among my collection are 

 various shades, dyed long since, under the advice 

 of works on fishing ; light brown and dark, some 

 almost black, some approaching to yellow, some 

 of an olive tint. I never use other than one 

 colour, which I call azure or neutral tint, be the 

 water " clear as crystal," or " brown as a berry ;" 



