14 The Angler's Tackle and Equipment. 



length of the legs, and be carefully adapted to the 

 feet ; for they are equally uncomfortable when too 

 long as when too short. If the material is thor- 

 oughly waterproof, the lighter it is the better, as 

 the weight will necessarily be considerably in- 

 creased in the course of a long day's wading. 

 Before putting on the stockings, pass an elastic 

 band round the ankle and over the trousers, to 

 prevent the latter from being disarranged; and 

 over the wading-stockings put on a pair of strong 

 worsted socks of large size, to keep the boot, and 

 the gravel which insinuates itself into it, from 

 abrading the fishing-stocking. The socks are held 

 up by elastic garters. The boots are made specially 

 for the purpose, a size or two larger than ordinary 

 walking-boots. They should come well up the 

 ankle, be strong but not too heavy, and have a 

 few nails in the soles to prevent slipping. 



After a day's fishing, turn the wading-stockings 

 inside out, and dry them slowly before a fire during 

 the night, if they are to be required next day. 

 Where this is carefully attended to, they will last 

 much longer than they would otherwise do. It is 

 advisable, however, to have two pairs, and to use 

 them alternately. The angler should, if practicable, 

 put on his fishing-stockings before starting for the 

 day, so that on reaching the river he may be ready 

 to commence operations without loss of time. He 



