306 Rod and Tackle. CHAP. xx. 



it with cold water ; take your pot off the fire with a twisted stick, and pour 

 the molten material into the water. When cold enough to handle, grease 

 your hands and work the wax about, pull it out into long strips, double these 

 back on themselves, and so proceed until all the materials are well amalga- 

 mated ; then work it out into a long stick or rod, take a greased knife and 

 divide it up into pieces, large enough to make convenient balls for use. 

 These are best kept floating in water until wanted." " Shifts and Expedients 

 of Camp Life, Travel, and Exploration," by W. B. Lord, Royal Artillery, 

 and T. Bains, F.R.G.S. : Horace Cox, 346, Strand. 



For white fly-making wax here is a recipe : 



" Two ounces of best yellow resin, one drachm of beeswax ; put them 

 into a pipkin over a slow fire till completely melted. Then add a quarter of 

 an ounce of spermaceti ; and let the whole simmer, constantly stirring it for 

 a quarter of an hour longer. Pour the melted mass into a basin of clear 

 cold water. It will instantly become thick. In this state, and while yet 

 warm, work it by pulling it through the fingers till cold. This last operation 

 is necessary to make the wax tough, and to give it that silvery hue it has 

 when made in perfection." " The Angler and his Friend," by John Davy, 

 M.D., F.R.S. 



Francis Francis substitutes tallow, I see, for spermaceti. 



Lead Wire. For weighting lines for float fishing, split shot are 

 ordinarily used, but a much handier thing is the soft-drawn lead wire of 

 the Manchester Cotton Twine Spinning Company. It is so easily put 

 on, and can without the least difficulty be exactly accommodated to the 

 finest float, whereas it is troublesome sometimes to exactly hit it off 

 with shot. It is cheap enough, 15 yards for is. 



Copper Wire. The same company supply also fine soft copper 

 wire, as fine as fly-tyers' silk, in knots of 40 yards for is. It is nice 

 for whipping, and fishermen should not be without it. 



Whipping Cord. While you are sending to this company for 

 running line, etc., you will do well to get their "waterproof cable 

 whipping cord, 100 yards for is." It is excellent for repairs of 

 breakages. Their silk for whipping hooks, flies, etc., is also good 

 They supply also all sorts of excellent lines for sea-fishing. But, as I 

 said before, their transactions are all for prepaid cash, a little difficulty 

 which your tackle-maker will arrange for you. 



Bait Kettle. A common earthen pot makes a very good bait-can. 

 Arrange a string by which to carry it by one hand, tie a cloth over the 



