48 FLY-FISHING. 



found the most generally efficient weapon. It is 

 also convenient to have a hollow butt, so that one 

 or two shorter tops one for minnow-spinning, and 

 one for worm-fishing may be carried in it. A 

 square ring of india-rubber slipped half-way down 

 the butt will throw off the rain-drippings, which 

 would otherwise run down the rod on to the 

 angler's hands and sleeves. 



REEL LINES FOR FLY-FISHING. 



During the last few years it has become a not 

 uncommon custom amongst fly-fishers to use for 

 the fly the ordinary 8 -plait dressed silk line 

 formerly almost exclusively confined to trolling 

 purposes ; and in windy weather the extra weight 

 of such a line as compared with its bulk is an 

 unquestionable advantage. Perhaps, however, the 

 dressed line has made most converts owing to the 

 equally unquestionable shortcomings of the mixed 

 silk and hair line which was commonly the 

 alternative. Nothing can well be worse than this 

 line. It is expensive ; wears out quickly ; is never 

 really strong even when new ; " kinks" on the 

 slightest provocation, and, owing to the protrusion 

 of numberless points of hair, has a special inapti- 

 tude for running freely through rod-rings. For 



