INTRODUCTION. Vll. 



When you have hooked a fish, never suffer it 

 to run out with the line ; but keep the rod bent, 

 and as nearly perpendicular as you can ; by 

 this method the top plies to every pull the fish 

 makes, and you prevent the straining of the line. 



Never raise a large fish out of the water by 

 taking hold of the line, but either put a landing 

 net under it, or your hat. You may, in fly- 

 fishing, lay hold of the line to draw a fish to 

 you, but this must be done with caution. 



The silk for tying on hooks and other fine 

 work, must be very small ; use it double, and 

 wax it with shoemaker's wax ; should the wax 

 be too stiff, t6tnper it with tallow. 



Inclose the knots and joints of the line in lit- 

 tle pills of wax, pressed very close, and the 

 superfluities pinched off; this will soon harden, 

 and prevent the knots from drawing. 



If for strong fishing you use grass, which, 

 when you can get it tine, is to be preferred to 

 gut, remember always to soak it an hour in wa- 

 ter before using it; this will make it tough, 

 and prevent its sinking. 



Before fixing the loop of gut to the hook, in 

 order to make a fly, singe the end of it to pre- 

 vent its drawing ; do the same by hair, to which 

 at any time you whip a hook. 



Make flies in warm weather only, for in cold, 

 the waxed silk will not draw. 



