TACKLE AND FISHING GEAR. 105 



But, my dear lady readers if I should be so favoured as to 

 have any do not let it be forgotten that there is ' a beauty of 

 fitness,' and that where really rough work has to be done 'ease 

 before elegance,' and, it might be added, ' health before both,' 

 is a golden maxim. 



The following hints for dress, which have been kindly given 

 me by a lady who has had large practical experience with both 

 rod and gun, may possibly be found of service : 



Short skirt of linsey wolsey made as simple as possible in 

 fact, a kind of ' housemaid's dress.' Norfolk jacket made of all 

 wool material. A comfortable toque (the close-fitting toque does 

 not catch the wind). It is best to have the costume of one colour, 

 say a nice heather mixture or whitish grey. I advise 'linsey' for 

 the skirt, as it is everlasting in wear, and the 'all wool for the 

 Norfolk jacket, being warmer and more healthy. 



Now for the most important item boots. They should fit 

 perfectly, and be made of porpoise hide, with honest broad soles 

 and plenty of room for the toes, and flat heels in their proper 

 place, not under the arch of the instep. The boots should lace in the 

 same way that men's shooting boots do, and be made to come well 

 up 'the leg (so that gaiters can be dispensed with). Length of 

 skirt an inch or so above the ankle. 



This dress is suitable for either fishing or shooting. If worn 

 for the latter over a 'clayey' country, a few inches of light water- 

 proof on the bottom of the skirt are advisable. Some ladies wear 

 gaiters, but I think if the boots are made high enough they are 

 not necessary. ' All wool ' under-garments should be worn, from 

 stockings upwards. 



The comfort to the fishenvoman, as well as to the fisher- 

 manand, indeed, to all sportsmen of boots which are 

 both thoroughly easy and at the same time completely water- 

 proof, is so obvious that I make no apology for offering a few 

 hints on the subject, the more so that during experiments 

 extending over some decades I have myself suffered ' many 

 things at the hands of many bootmakers.' Any bungler in 

 the trade can, of course, make at least a passably waterproof 

 boot if he allows himself unlimited latitude in the matter of 

 weight and clumsiness, or ' stiffness.' The art is to make a 



