40 ANGLER'S TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT. 



I am of opinion, from experiments made by me at 

 various times, that it is advantageous for the angler to 

 employ stained or dyed gut, in preference to the 

 material in its natural state. I have ascertained also, 

 that there are two colours, or rather tints, that take the 

 precedence over all others, in producing the desired 

 effect, that is, in concealing or rendering it invisible 

 to the eye of the trout or salmon, as well as the obser- 

 vation of the onlooker. With regard to the experiments 

 in question, they were made, some at the bridge below 

 Coldstream, and others at Teviot Bridge, near Kelso ; a 

 party on each occasion being stationed to report, on the 

 key-stone of one of the arches, and immediately super- 

 intending the cast underneath. The conclusion I have 

 come to is, that the walnut leaf, or brown dye, is best 

 calculated for the purpose required; although, in a 

 bright day, and in clear water, a bluish or neutral 

 tinge is perhaps more desirable. The former of these 

 colours is obtained simply from a decoction of walnut 

 leaves, or bark, using two handfuls to a quart of water. 

 Into this liquid, when in a cool state, the gut should 

 be placed, and allowed to soak for two or three hours ; 

 or it may be immersed, for a few seconds only, in the 

 hot fluid, and then rinsed well in cold water. Let care 

 be taken that the shade or tint be not too deep. It 

 should approach to a light amber colour, and on no 

 account be allowed to lose its transparency. 



As to the bluish dye. This is obtained from a de- 

 coction of shavings of logwood, a handful to the quart 

 of water. Boil these for about a quarter of an hour, 

 and throw in a small piece of alum, about the size of a 

 horse bean. On removing your pan from the fire, dip 

 the gut in while the liquor is still hot, allowing it to 

 remain five or six seconds, and then transferring it, as 



