FLIES AND FLY FISHING. 51 



is entirely worthless, and should never be used for any 

 purpose whatever, and one of the greatest disadvantages 

 in purchasing flies is that the smaller sizes are often tied 

 on it. The best criterions of gut are appearance and feel ; 

 the finger ought to pass over it quite smoothly, and it 

 ought always to look glossy and bright. 



The length of a cast depends on the number of flies to 

 be used, and the water to be fished, but it ought never to 

 be less than three yards long, except when using the 

 stone fly, or black gnat, in the manner described in the 

 descriptions of those flies, or sometimes with a large 

 May fly. And with a twelve feet rod, four-and-a-half 

 yards is as much as a good fisherman can use with 

 comfort. It is more difficult to kill a fish when using a 

 very long cast. 



All dyes hurt gut, whatever may be said to the con- 

 trary, but yet something must be used to get rid of the 

 glitter. 



Boil some logwood in water with a small quantity of 

 copperas, and then place the liquor in a bottle. 



This dye is better for keeping. Soak the gut in this 

 until it becomes very slightly tinged, and wash it in clean, 

 cold water ; great care must be taken not to overdo this, 



so that the gut loses any of its transparency. Gut for all 



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