io CHATS ON ANGLING. 



line should float well, do not forget to take some deer's fat with you 

 with which to anoint it. 



We next come to the cast. Two and a half yards of tapered gut are 

 all that is necessary, tapered from stout to the finest undrawn procurable. 

 I would discard drawn gut altogether, possibly because I am too clumsy 

 to use it to my satisfaction. It is generally, however, easy to procure real 

 undrawn gut of sufficient fineness from such firms as Ramsbottom, and a 

 hank of such gut, in fifteen or sixteen-inch strands, should always be 

 acquired when found. If kept out of the light, wrapped preferably in 

 chamois leather, it will keep a long time. Take with you some dozen 

 or so of such strands and a spare made-up cast in your damping box, 

 and you will have all you will require in a day's fishing. 



Your landing-net should be ample in circumference. The net itself 

 deep and commodious ; the ring should be solid, of bent wood, with a 

 knuckle joint of gunmetal to attach it to the handle. The net should 

 be of dressed cord, so that the fly will not become fixed in the knots. 

 It is a great mistake to have too short a handle ; you may have to reach 

 far over sedges to get at your fish to land him. If you sling your 

 landing-net on your left side, as is usually done, a long handle is very 

 inconvenient in kneeling ; therefore, use a telescope handle for choice. 



Wading trousers or stockings and brogues will complete your 

 equipment, though, of course, some kind of basket or bag will be needed 

 to enable you to carry your luncheon, your tackle, and your fish. All 

 tackle makers will supply you with an ample assortment for choice in 

 this matter. Possibly a waterproof bag with partitions and an outside 

 net to place the fish in is the most convenient. Small linen bags in 

 which to place the fish or linen cloths in which to wrap them are not 

 out of place. One further article I should advise you to take with 

 you, and that is a good pair of field glasses. They will multiply the 

 pleasure of your stalk tenfold. With them you can search the water 

 before you can spot effectively the most desirable fish, and ascertain 

 more exactly what flies the fish are taking ; whilst, if nothing is doing 

 and the fish are lying like stones on the river bed or huddled away 

 in the recesses of the weeds, you can amuse yourself with watching 

 bird life and while away the time to your infinite pleasure. 



Having fully equipped ourselves so far, we have now to consider our 



