34 ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT. 



they are now made so light that they can be put 

 in the pocket or strapped to the basket, without the 

 least inconvenience. Some anglers, who, we sup- 

 pose, must belong to the new school of muscular 

 Christians, allege they never feel comfortable till 

 they get wet; but if, as we suppose, the greater 

 number never feel comfortable when they do, a 

 waterproof coat, a wide-awake hat, and wading- 

 boots, will render them quite independent of the 

 weather. 



Wading Soots and Stockings. Anglers who can 

 stand knee-deep in water, for a whole day during any 

 part of the angling season without any danger of 

 suffering from it, require nothing to wade with but 

 a pair of good stout shoes or boots. If the water 

 is very cold, wearing two pairs of stockings instead 

 of one will add to the angler's comfort. Many 

 anglers, however, particularly those whose mode of 

 life is sedentary, cannot expose themselves to wet 

 with any degree of impunity, so that they must 

 either refrain from wading or wear waterproofs of 

 some description. The ordinary leather boots, such 

 as are generally worn by fishermen, are undoubtedly 

 the most substantial article of the kind to be had. 

 The only objection to them, and it is certainly a 

 serious one, is their great weight ; the lightest of 

 them when properly ironed weighing four or five 

 pounds each. To leather wading-boots we prefer 

 waterproof stockings, which are now made light as 

 well as substantial, and may be procured at a very 



