FLIES AND FLY FISHING. 49 



and used for salmon lines are not required to hold the 

 largest that ever swam, and I do not think you can 

 throw so well with them as with one of a fair weight ; 

 but if, for throwing, a very heavy line is preferred, ten or 

 fifteen yards of cast is all that is necessary, and the rest 

 may be finer by which means you get more on your reel. 



Having purchased a line in coil, lay it in a basin of 

 water, and let it soak for three or four hours, then undo 

 the coil and stretch it tightly at its full length, rub it 

 down once or twice with a piece of damp flannel held 

 between the fingers and thumb, and leave it stretched 

 until thoroughly dry, then wind it up very tightly on to 

 the reel. The line should of course be dried every day 

 after use, but it is only necessary to draw out a little 

 more than you have been using during the day, and wind 

 it on to the back of a chair never dry it quickly by a fire. 



All the methods I have tried for fresh dressing lines 

 have only done harm, and I now never do anything to 



them. 



THE LANDING NET. 



EVERY man has his own ideas, both as regards the kind of 

 net to use and the best method of carrying it. I have the 

 net itself made of dressed silk on a stout wooden hoop, and 

 the handle a strong stick about six feet long (this 



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