TACKLE 235 



the paraffin was the cause of it. Well-made dry 

 flies used to float very well before paraffin was 

 adopted ; they do so still ; and I resent the 

 intrusion of the odious little bottle and oil 

 amongst my fishing tackle. 



On the other hand, I am grateful for any pre- 

 paration or any dressing which nmkes the reel 

 line float upon the water. The sinking of the 

 reel line is a great drawback in dry fly fishing. 

 If the whole of the line which is cast upon 

 the water continues to float upon the surface, 

 the striking of a trout, or the lifting of the line 

 and fly for the next cast, are made much easier, 

 and the chance of the fly dragging is diminished. 

 In wet fly fishing a reel line which will insist 

 upon floating is a great nuisance, and the angler 

 should have at least two lines ready for use, 

 one for chalk streams and another for wet fly 

 rivers. 



