Repairs. 253 



It sometimes occurs that an angler buys a new rod, 

 or a new reel, and finds the one will not fit the other; 

 but he can tie the reel to his rod with a string, or better 

 still a leather thong, and it will work just as well. 



It may happen that he frays his line on a sharp stone 

 or otherwise, so that he thinks it no longer safe. In this 

 case, if unprovided with a spare line, he may cut out 

 the doubtful part, melt his wax, or at least make it quite 

 soft so that it will penetrate well into the line, coat 

 about an inch of each end well with the wax, lap and 

 squeeze, and sew them together with a fine needle, and 

 then wrap tightly with well waxed silk, and thus remedy 

 the defect. If it is an enamelled waterproof line, the 

 ends may be scarfed a little with the file to roughen 

 them, and give the wax a better hold. This splice, if 

 neatly made, will render through the rings very well, but 

 a test strain of at least six pounds should be applied be- 

 fore using it ; for if it will not hold it is better to know 

 it, and repeat the operation. 



He may forget or lose his landing-net. In stream- 

 fishing he can then land his fish on the bank, if it is 

 sloping, or if not, slide his hand down the leader and 

 grasp the fish by the gills. In either case he should 

 play his fish until quite exhausted. Then throwing his 

 rod behind him and over his shoulder, grasp the leader 

 with his left hand, carry the part seized to his right 

 hand which holds the rod, there take it between his 

 thumb and finger, holding it so he can at once let go if 

 the fish shows signs of activity, and repeat this until the 

 fish is quite close. But during this delicate operation 

 there must not be the slightest approximation to a jerk ; 

 everything must proceed quietly and by an even, steady 

 motion. He can then slide his hand down the leader 



