THE APPARATUS 45 



service. We have never addressed one single angry 

 word to it, though together we have spent many 

 trying days and more very pleasant ones. 



The Reel 



Any sort of reel will serve the purpose, provided 

 that it is in good working order, ready to answer 

 a strike with the minimum of delay. It is of con- 

 siderable advantage to have one specially for dry- 

 fly work, though not essential, and we can thor- 

 oughly recommend one about three inches in 

 diameter of contracted pattern and well-filled with 

 line. This enables one by reason of its quick- 

 winding properties to get immediately in touch 

 with a hooked fish. 



The Line 



It is absolutely necessary that the line be of 

 waterproofed silk, and fashion decrees that it be 

 tapered. In length it need not be more than 

 thirty yards, and therefore to it should be spliced 

 sufficient undressed line to fill the reel entirely. 

 A satisfactory line is expensive, but with reason- 

 able care it will last for years. After use it should 

 be taken off the reel, dried by exposure to the 

 air, and then rubbed down with Cerolene. This 

 preparation not only preserves it, but gives it other 

 desirable properties which will be mentioned in 

 due course. The weight of line must depend 

 on the rod, but one which will generally give com- 

 plete satisfaction is a double-tapered line of medium 



weight, i.c.i. that is '02" at point, "04" in centre. 



f 

 Gut and Casts 



It has for some years been exceedingly difficult 

 to procure gut of high quality, a fact which is 



