242 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



ready to continue your sport. If this was in the even- 

 ing I should melt some fresh glue fish-glue (or isin- 

 glass as it is sometimes called) if it could be had. Hav- 

 ing completely melted some of this in sufficient water, 

 so that it felt between the thumb and finger as if it had 

 considerable, but not too much body, I should apply it 

 to each surface, bring them together, wrap them tightly 

 with a dry string, then wet the string with warm water 

 to swell it and make it still tighter, and set it away till 

 morning. Then you would hardly have been able to 

 find where the wood was joined together. 



NOVICE. I have tried to use glue, but could never 

 make it stick any to speak of. 



ANGLEK. Considerable art, or, I should say, a little 

 knowledge is required to use glue successfully. In the 

 first place, where all possible strength is required, as in 

 fishing-rods, the glue used should be perfectly fresh. By 

 that I mean glue that has never been melted before. It 

 should by no means be too thick, since then it rapidly 

 gelatinizes, and in this condition it has no adhesive pow- 

 er. The best test is to try a drop between the finger 

 and thumb ; if it feels slightly unctious, it is thick 

 enough. Then warm the surfaces to be united, apply 

 the glue, and tie them together as described, and you 

 will have no difficulty. Fish-glue is to be preferred, par- 

 ticularly that known as " Russian isinglass," since it has 

 more strength in the first place, and that strength is not 

 so apt to become impaired by time ; but it must be han- 

 dled promptly since it soon jellies, in which condition it 

 will not stick at all. Some advocate adding a drop or 

 two of nitric acid to the melted glue, or melting the 

 glue in vinegar, either of which will destroy this gelati- 

 nizing property, so you can take your time in uniting the 



