70 ROD AND RIVER 



are cut ; the tendency of the roll to uncurl itself 

 will cause it to fit tightly into the coil, which can 

 then be unwound without any fear of its getting 

 entangled. 



Some people advocate the use of red-deer suet, 

 not only as a preservative for fishing-lines, but 

 also as enabling the latter to be cast more cleanly, 

 and be more readily picked off the water. The 

 two latter conditions it doubtless fulfils, but I 

 would caution the reader to be very sparing in 

 its use ; indeed, never to use it all, unless he is 

 most careful to dry his lines after fishing, or he 

 will speedily find that the dressing will become 

 softened and sticky, and the silk be utterly ruined. 

 I have for this reason abandoned its use, except 

 occasionally, since I do not consider that its 

 advantages are commensurate with its drawbacks. 

 I have completely spoiled two lines by its use, 

 and so state my experiences. 



We have considered the rod, its fittings, the 

 reel, and the line : it now remains for me to say 

 something respecting fishing-gut. As I remarked, 

 good articles are not to be obtained cheaply, and 

 gut is no exception to this rule ; moreover, it is 

 no easy matter to procure really good gut at any 

 price. It must be long and strong. If really 

 strong, the longer it is the better ; and the finer 

 the last few links of a trout casting-line, the 



