ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 137 



him another way, he will take the less care and pains 

 in his present pastime. 



The above explanation applies with equal, or 

 perhaps with greater force, to the success which 

 some fly-fishermen are apt to attribute to a particular 

 fly of their own tying or design. 



The best way of preserving it [i.e., the line], is to 

 wax it sometimes with Bees-wax, and when it is wet 

 to wind it up loosely in long foldings, that the Air 

 may come in to dry it, or else let it dry at length, 

 and then wind it upon a Roll : with such usage, a 

 Silk Line will last beyond your expectation. . . . 



Some make them [i.e., their lines] of Silk and 

 Silver, thinking that way to preserve it ; tho' the addi- 

 tion of Silver may be rather to please their fancy and 

 the gaiety of their humour, then to keep their Line 

 from perishing : such as they should have Silver 

 Hooks to their Silver Lines, that if it cannot take 

 Fish it self in the Water, it may take them ready 

 caught, and so be useful in saving their credit. . . . 



As to the length of the Line, it is good to have 

 enough, and far better to have than to lack ; . . . 

 As to the precise length of it, that need not be 

 determined, about 30 yards is a good medium for 

 the Pouch, I cannot see any reason why it need be 

 so long at Snap. 



The tenth chapter discourses as follows " Of the 

 Pole": 



Supposing your Hook be good, and your Line 

 strong, you may make the better shift with an 

 indifferent Pole ; though some that are more curious 

 in their Tackling than painful and patient in their 

 Fishing, will not stir a foot without all the formalities 



