416 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



perspiration is so condensed within them by the cold of 

 the stream, that he who wears them will, at evening, be 

 quite as wet as he who does not. If, however, they are 

 preferred, then select those with stocking-feet, and not 

 those ending in boots, since the former can be turned 

 entirely wrong side out to dry, which is impossible with 

 the latter ; the inside will always be found the wetter. 

 Also choose those of the pantaloon form, since though 

 the depth be not so great, the water will, when the 

 wader stands in or forces his way against the current, 

 boil up against him, and with mere stockings may over- 

 flow the upper edge and load him up with water. Noth- 

 ing is more disgusting than this mishap, nor does any- 

 thing so chill the angler's ardor and demoralize him, as 

 to be forced to lie on his back on the bank and elevate 

 his legs in the air to empty his boots. There is then a 

 natural affinity between the fluid and his backbone, and 

 along the latter a goodly portion always flows to make 

 its escape at his collar. But there is to me something 

 abhorrent in the idea of being stewed in my own juice ; 

 and though I have them, I have not used rubbers in wad- 

 ing for years. 



If the stream is a strong one and its bottom rough, 

 use a wading-staff of about your own height. On this 

 mark two or three rings by removing the bark with a 

 knife, to serve as some guide from which to judge the 

 depth of the water. Secure this to a button-hole of your 

 coat with a string of sufficient length to permit its un- 

 embarrassed use. Then, when a fish is fastened and both 

 hands are needed, it can be dropped, relying on the 

 string to prevent it from being swept away by the cur- 

 rent, and to insure its recovery. It will save many a 

 nasty fall and ducking. 



