396 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



of this was apparent at once. For on disturbing the sur- 

 face of the water in the tank, even though but little, the 

 transparent place at once disappeared, and the surface 

 became entirely opaque throughout, thus completely cut- 

 ting off all vision of any object above it. Since this 

 made little or no difference in the visibility of fly or 

 leader when in actual contact with the water, I cannot 

 doubt that the result in question is due to the cause 

 assigned. It would therefore appear that when the water 

 is roughened by a breeze, the angler may, without disad- 

 vantage, consult his convenience as to whether he will 

 wade or stand when casting ; also that when the ripple 

 is local, that it is advisable, other things being equal, to 

 cast into it, even though its area be quite limited. 



The shadow of a moving fly-rod was distinctly and 

 conspicuously visible through the glass and water, as a 

 dark streak moving upon the surface, and this whether 

 the latter was smooth or roughened. 



It would require undue space, and be but confusing 

 to the reader, should I separately detail each experiment 

 on the visibility of leaders, extending as they did over 

 months, and including almost every hour of the day and 

 condition of sky. I therefore merely describe how my 

 experiments were conducted, and the conclusions deduced 

 therefrom. 



At first the tank was painted dark slate color within 

 and without ; subsequently the interior was changed to 

 a mud color, formed by a mixture of brown and green 

 paint. For some time different colored leaders were 

 tested and compared in pairs. Each was weighted, and 

 suspended perpendicularly in the water by an assistant at 

 the farther end of the tank. They were then gradually 

 brought nearer the observer until one became visible, if 



