96 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



For boat or canoe wear I recommend light unwater- 

 proofed moccasins with or without soles; tennis slip- 

 pers are also good. 



CARE OF BOOTS AND WADERS 



Waders and boots, to be of any use, obviously must 

 be kept dry inside. In warm weather one often finds 

 himself so damp that he may suspect his waders of 

 leaking although usually it is only perspiration. 

 Waders thus dampened should be opened and hung 

 up so the air can get at them. Waders that are actu- 

 ally wet inside demand more thorough treatment. 



I learned how to dry out rubber boots or waders 

 under somewhat distressing circumstances. I was 

 fishing a sheltered bay on Bass Lake, Ind., during a 

 raw, northeast wind one day in the spring. I was 

 casting from shore, wading out as far as the height of 

 my boots would permit. I had a common grain sack 

 tied to my belt to hold the fish which, despite the un- 

 propitious circumstances, were striking well. As 

 soon as the bag grew decently heavy I decided to go 

 ashore and forgetting all about the bag tied to my 

 waist, I turned, stepped on it, lost my balance and 

 took what the youngsters call " a header " into the icy 

 water. 



By the time I drove four miles in an open motor 

 car in the teeth of the cold wind a hot fire and dry 

 clothing were welcome, to say the least. My host, 

 Frank Hay, the dean of the northern Indiana anglers, 

 then showed me how to quickly dry wet boots. First 



