112 To stain Gut, Hair, fyc. 



quired fineness. The operation is difficult, although the 

 machine itself is simple, being merely a steel plate with 

 graduated holes for drawing the lengths through until 

 they are of the required fineness. When the waters are 

 discoloured, some people prefer gut stained according to 

 the tinge of the water. White answers very well, if 

 transparent ; but the opaque is useless, save for bottom 

 fishing in muddy water. 



Indian weed used to be much thought of for angling 

 with, but it is far inferior to gut on account of its ex- 

 treme brittleness. It requires at least an hour's soaking 

 in water before it becomes sufficiently soft and elastic 

 for use. 



Hair. The angler should neglect no opportunity of 

 collecting good horse-hair. It is always useful for lines, 

 nay, indispensable, and is of the "first consequence to a 

 Fly-fisher who uses single-hair. Where the fish are not 

 very large, and the waters clear and fine, or low, single- 

 hair gives a decided advantage, to the Angler using it, 

 over one who fishes with gut. 



The finest gut, thrown ever so artistically, falls 

 heavily compared with fine single-hair ; and the single- 

 hair fisher will always, in clear waters, kill more trout 

 than the gut fisher, supposing they both understand 

 the art. 



To stain Gut, Hair, fyc. a Brown Colour. 



1. MAKE a decoction of walnut-leaves, not too strong, 

 and boil your gut- or hair, &c. in it for a minute or so. 

 If left in too long it will be injured. 



2. Make some good strong tea, and steep your gut 

 or hair in it for a day or two. This is a good stain and 

 does not rot the material. 



3. Coffee, with a little alum, will give a good brown 



