296 Rod and Tackle. CHAP. xx. 



though they did cause them no practical inconvenience, and that tackle- 

 makers would have to consult their prejudices. But such tackle-makers 

 as lay themselves out for supplying Mahseer and other Indian tackle 

 might surely add to their favours that of uniform heel-plates and 

 uniform winch fittings. But maybe they have vested and other 

 interests to the contrary, and I shall have them all down on me like a 

 thousand of bricks, even old friends among them, and a good tackle- 

 maker is verily a valuable friend to the angler. Do you bestow all your 

 affection on the rod that fought that splendid hand to hand fight 

 together with you, and saw you through to victory ? Pass a little of it 

 on to the good chap that took such pains to make it all of honest stuff 

 without a knot or a flaw in it, and tapered and weighted to a nicety 

 that only long practice can accomplish, and every joint of "slender 

 frame, but firmly knit " like Malcolm Graeme. 



But, reverting to my brake-winch, I may mention that it has been 

 patented, and that the manufacturers are Messrs. S. Allcock & Co., 

 Standard Works, Redditch. 



Running Line. In the way of running line there is nothing 

 nicer for light fly-fishing than plaited silk, coated with india-rubber, and 

 use 30 yards. For Labeo fishing Tussa silk, as in " Tank Angling." 

 For Mahseer, Freshwater Sharks, and such-like heavy fish, the 

 Manchester Cotton Twine Spinning Company's line mentioned above 

 p. 288. 



Of all your lines be careful that they do not rot from being put 

 away wet. 



Anglers are not half careful enough about this, and I have seen a 

 worthy Major, after losing a fish, instead of before killing one, testing 

 his remaining line, breaking off whole handfuls, with mouthfuls of 

 expletives, the lavish expenditure of which might have been spared us 

 if only he had been at the habitual pains, on returning from fishing, 

 immediately to hang out his line to dry on the backs of two chairs, 

 or by the use of one of these line driers. I quote from the price list 

 from which I get the illustration. 



" Farlow's collapsible line drier, a machine for effectually drying lines 

 when wet, made so that the air passes freely through to every portion of the 

 line, and so dries and preserves it. Each winder is fitted with a screw 

 clamp, so that it may be screwed on any table. This clamp is arched so as 

 to receive the scoop of the winch, which can be placed or removed at will, 



