ADDENDA. 141 



elasticity towards the hand ; lap strong and well- waxed 

 silk tight and close over the splices and at the rings, 

 and then finish with colouring or a little paint. 

 When gut is used for the fly or for the float, the 

 rod may be somewhat stronger, which may answer 

 changes for the worm or minnow. Length of rod for 

 these purposes, from twelve to fourteen feet. The top 

 splicings for pike and salmon rods, which require sub- 

 stance, may be seasoned hazel, or holly for lightness. 



Fishing the fly is subjected to fine weather, it begins in 

 February and ends in November ; the minnow is fished 

 from March, through all times, weathers, and waters 

 until October ; and the worm the same throughout the 

 year. These are the most common and natural food 

 of trout, grayling, and smelt the flowers of the finny 

 tribes and are used as baits in angling, each of which 

 are taken at peculiar times, giving to the roving angler 

 who uses them, opportunities of sport every day in the 

 year except those of frost and snow. 



FEBRUARY. 



FLIES. As ruthless winter passes, nature's earliest 

 sympathies visit the poor fish, and in the sunshine the 

 winter brown first trots the waters to cheer her favour- 

 ite trout; the needle, red brown, &c., &c. make up his 

 bill of fare, and these only in the extremes of mild 

 weather and temperate waters. They are the first flies 

 of the season which nature throws out to t!he fishes, 



