232 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



REPAIRS. 



THIS chapter has been written on the assumption that 

 the reader is utterly ignorant of this most important 

 branch of the art. That such actually is the case with 

 altogether too many who are otherwise experts, we all 

 know. That such should not be the case we are also aware. 

 Nothing in relation to the art will better repay the be- 

 ginner, and those who lack this information, than a care- 

 ful study not merely reading over, but careful study in 

 the scholar's sense of the term of this chapter. For to 

 say nothing of benefit to yourself at a crisis, what pleas- 

 ure can be greater than to be able to rescue a brother 

 angler from the consequences of disaster to his tackle, 

 and to receive thanks which you know are really sin- 

 cere and heartfelt. At the expense of a little trouble, 

 nay, rather while amusing yourself, you have at the same 

 time made a friend, and put him on the watch for oppor- 

 tunity to requite the obligation. 



But it is to the first of these inducements we most 

 confidently appeal; for if that elicits no response, a moral 

 defect is evidenced fatal to the hope that that man will 

 ever become a true angler. 



Many think this art hopelessly intricate, and are dis- 

 couraged from any eifort to acquire it ; but this is a 

 great mistake, for there is nothing in it insurmountable 

 to the humblest mechanical skill. The most common 



