HINTS ON COLOURING GUT FOR CASTS. 275 



through its having caught away back in the rear 

 in making an exceptionally and recklessly long throw. 

 Another and less objectionable one is now installed in its 

 stead, and a consequent change in the sport prospects 

 forthwith ensues. A fast sky blue hue is the shade 

 best adapted for the generality of waters. From the 

 position of the fish beneath, the medium con- 

 necting the fly and the reel line should show small 

 constrast with either the blue haze of the firmament, 

 or the transparency customary to the liquid element. 

 Broken and fallen water shows plainly and un- 

 mistakably the true tint prevailing on the river about 

 to be fished. Appearances are liable to be deceptive 

 when viewed tranquil, owing to disparity in the 

 geological formation, as also in the variety of 

 substance forming its bed. For habitually discoloured 

 waters, a light brown or a delicate olive may be 

 advantageously employed. The former may be had 

 from either fustain chips, barberry bark, or the coffee 

 bean when pulverised and made into a solution by 

 the application of boiling water. The gut not, 

 however, being inserted until the liquid has cooled 

 down to a few degrees above blood heat. Gut is 

 often irretrievably ruined by being scalded in the 

 process of staining ; gut damaged in this manner 

 looses strength and stiffness, and is thus rendered 

 weak and limp, with a marked tendency to rub rough 

 with slight friction. To boil, in short, is to surely 

 spoil the best and strongest gut ever obtained from 

 the worm. Gut, indeed, of any description will fail 

 to withstand the process, though the product of the 



