304 THE SALMON FLY. 



To attempt to secure this by daubs of dressing is to fly in the face 

 of that enemy best known by the term " dandruff." Too much body 

 dressing is just as harmful as too little. An extra coat for rough lines 

 is, however, advisable, and when quite dry the surface is best worn down 

 by using them. 



In all cases, Anglers will decide for themselves when the surface is 

 ready ; but, after fishing with the line, another thin coat is needed in 

 order to start the polish before the liquid sets hard. We cannot, however, 

 escape from the cold fact that, with all our dipping and rubbing 

 and subsequent care and attention, this treatment involves us in clouds 

 of doubt and apprehension. But let me turn for a, moment to some 

 brighter prospect something else which has escaped most line dressers 

 hitherto. 



What Salmon-fishermen want, and what I understand can now be 

 found in the Alnwick market, is a waterproofing that will, at all events, 

 stand the test of time without cracking and knuckling. We know to our 

 cost that knuckles always constitute a standing menance to all endeavour 

 to reach a high branch of efficiency, and, in consequence, to attain good 

 angling records. 



What the uninitiated line dresser wants is a means by which he can 

 ensure Salmon-anglers the full enjoyment of their privileges, by not 

 allowing those dark clouds to overhang perpetually their paths of progress. 

 If he obtains this, he will, without doubt, find ample support to back him 

 up in his own neighbourhood ; if not ? 



A happy opportunity for welcoming a widely proclaimed creed 

 presents itself. It is a maxim of law that there is no wrong without a, 

 remedy, and unless line dressing is to confess a humiliating inferiority to 

 jurisprudence there must be some curative agency by which the removal, 

 or rather the prevention of all previous drawbacks can be triumphantly 

 overcome. In point of fact, I have long since satisfied myself that the 

 AIR-PUMP is our only guarantee a statement confirmed in the best 

 school of Trout-fishers and verified in Salmon-angling by prolonged and 

 unfailing tests. 



Good and satisfactory as the out-door dressing is in comparison with 

 other make-shifts, a line is not, and never can be, impregnated with nearly 



