302 



THE SALMON FLY. 



for about sixteen fine, warm days or at all events, until the " dress" is 

 set and sticky. 



In fixing the line, do not wipe off much of the material. The plan 

 is to marry on spare string at each end to tie with, and so prevent a 

 certain waste of taper. Kunning and back lines are married to each 

 other by first fraying out nearly half an inch of the two ends with the 

 point of the stiletto. After the strands- are thus well separated, divide 

 the part frayed out into three portions, so as to form three " legs." 

 These portions are twisted to a point, see Fig. 1 and 2. 



FIG. 1. 



FIG. 2. 



FIG. 3. 



SPLICING LINES. 



They are then interlaced. The forks are fitted together until the 

 original thicknesses meet at A A. The six legs are spread out so as to 

 surround the line, see Fig 3. Then, with double tying-silk (waxed), 

 the whole splice is bound down in the ordinary way with close coils, 

 tapped with the back of an ivory-handled knife on a table, and then 

 varnished. 



On taking down the line for use, be careful with the married 

 points, as they will marry again and again in making up the running 

 tackle. 



The best season for this dressing is in summer. 



The liquid in which the line is soaked is previously made rather hot. 

 When it sets, take more of the warmed dressing in the fingers, and with 

 them give the line another good coating. It will have already absorbed 

 the previous coat, and present a bare appearance. In a few days from 

 this (locality and weather upset all calculation as to Ihe exact time) the 

 second application will be ready, and the rubbing process begins. 



