VARNISH. 57 



varnish. It is serviceable to him in many respects ; it 

 strengthens and improves the appearance of all worm 

 and minnow-tackles ; it may be applied, with advan- 

 tage, at the finishing point of fly-hooks, the head or 

 tail ; in the construction, also, of casting-lines, where 

 the ends require to be tied over with silk thread, its 

 employment is beneficial ; but that part of the angler's 

 stock to which its application, from time to time, is most 

 needed, consists of the rod itself. When the upper por- 

 tion of the top-piece is manufactured of bamboo slits, 

 it should be applied, as far as these are concerned, fre- 

 quently, and in layers or coats of moderate thickness. 

 Rods in much use ought to be varnished over, at least 

 twice or thrice during the season, and always at its 

 close. This rule attended to, they will be found to last 

 much longer and retain their springiness in its early 

 perfection. Of varnish so employed for rods and tackle, 

 the most generally useful consists in a solution of va- 

 rious gums among spirits of wine. Copal varnish is 

 also made use of, but, in comparison with the other, 

 dries slowly. The best mode of laying on the prepara- 

 tion, is by means of a small paintbrush or hair pencil. 



RECIPE FOR MAKING SPIRIT VARNISH. 



Elemi (true) . . . 1 oz. 

 Alcohol . . .1 qrt. 



Sandarac . , . .4 ozs. 

 Pale seedlac . . 2 ozs. 



Digest with agitation till dissolved, then add Venice turpentine 2 ozs. 



THE GAFF, OR LANDING-HOOK. This implement 

 is exceedingly useful to the salmon-fisher. It con- 

 sists of a large hook, fastened upon or screwed into 

 a shaft or handle, varying in length from three to 

 five or six feet. It is much used in the neighbour- 

 hood of Kelso, and facilitates greatly the capture of 

 a tired fish, economising the time of the angler, and 



D3 



!*- 





