328 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



in shade and color in the air as to require careful in- 

 spection to distinguish between them. This was marked 

 in comparing the ink-dye and the lighter neutral tint 

 (copperas and logwood). The intensity of color in both 

 was almost exactly equal, while the neutral tint was 

 somewhat duller on the surface. For this reason I had 

 always supposed the latter to be less obtrusive, but I 

 cannot doubt I was mistaken. I was the more pleased 

 with this result, since to obtain the ink-dye color the gut 

 can be dyed cold, and with less trouble and less loss of 

 strength than where copperas or heat is required. The 

 relative merits of the two can be judged from the fact 

 that sometimes the neutral tint was visible through a 

 foot more water than the other. 



For years events have been gradually forcing me to- 

 wards the opinion that success in fly-fishing (particularly 

 where the fish were educated to the angler's wiles), de- 

 pended as much upon concealing the connection between 

 the line and the fly as upon any other one thing. We 

 have all cast, time and time again, without a rise, where 

 we knew the fly was seen by trout every time it touched 

 the water. We have then changed and changed our cast, 

 yet all in vain. We have all seen a trout rise to the fly, 

 approach it closely, and then turn from it, and revert 

 whence he came. Under these trying circumstances per- 

 mit me to suggest that after the cast has been varied a 

 reasonable number of times without success, that the 

 leader be changed to one of a different color. I feel con- 

 fident that in many cases this will solve the difficulty. 



For the guidance of the beginner I suggest the follow- 

 ing rules, based on what I believe to be the teachings of 

 the preceding experiments. Provide yourself at least 

 with uncolored and ink-dyed leaders, some of light tint, 



