STEEL-CENTRED SALMON-RODS. 107 



denly. There are many streams wliere trousers are not required 

 — I mean wading-trousers — and stockings will do, or even a 

 pair of knee-high, waterproof boots. Of stockings, the " Norge " 

 semi-waders are among the best; they are kept up by means 

 of light tweed continuations, which make them look like 

 trousers. Waders may be of thin waterproof cloth for summer 

 use, or of stout felt, watei'proofed on the outside, for spring 

 and autumn. There is real danger in standing in icy cold 

 water in waders intended for summer use. Therefore, when 

 making your purchase, consider the time of year and the tem- 

 perature of the water you are likely to wade in. Have plenty 

 of nails to the soles of the brogues, which should be riveted 

 to the sole-leather before it is fastened to the brogue. Nails 

 which are hammered or screwed in after the sole is complete 

 soon tumble out. It is a good plan to have two pairs of 

 wading-trousers, and use them on alternate days; there will 

 then be ample time for them to be dried inside.* 



In deep, heavy streams, wading is sometimes only possible 

 by means of a metal-tipped staff ; but in such streams none 

 but the young and strong should venture. Some rivers have 

 a way of running suddenly into deep holes ; therefore, on a 

 strange stream the angler should not wade deeply without 

 j6.rst having obtained some information from local people as 

 to any hidden dangers there may be. 



Rod and Tackle for Salmon-fishing. — The rod should be 

 of greenheartjf 16ft. to 19ft. long, according to the purchaser's 

 strength. For boat work, 14ft. is a sufficient length. It should 

 be rather thicker than a Castle Connell rod at the butt, and 

 thinner near the point ; but it is very important not to have 

 a light, whippy top. The top must be a little heavy, or it will 



* Wading boots or stockings can be easily repaired by means of a solution of 

 naphtha and indiarubber, obtainable at most of the waterproofers'. It should be 

 laid smoothly on the leaky spot with a knife, and allowed a few minutes to partly 

 dry. Then a piece of thin indiarubber or waterproof cloth, which has also received 

 a coating of the solution, shou.'d be laid over the leaky spot, smoothed down with 

 the fingers, to get out the air-bubbles, and left under at least a 101b. weight until 

 the following day. 



t I have not the least objection to the new steel-centred, split-cane salmon-rods 

 beyond their price. A member of the Fly-flshers' Club caught some hundredweight 

 of salmon on one of these rods, and says it is still as good as new. It is a 

 capital plan to have the top joint of split cane, the rest greenheart. 



