86 



states of the water, whether clear or dis- 

 colored, for in the latter case it will not be 

 so readily perceived as to render a change of 

 color necessary. The chief excellence of a 

 hook is to be of a proper temper, neither so 

 brittle as to break when the fish is struck, 

 nor so soft as to straighten with a dead pull. 

 Though I mostly use Carlisle hooks, as being 

 most readily obtained in this part of the 

 country, I occasionally try a Kirby or a 

 Limerick, and if they be equally well tem- 

 pered, one is equally as good as another for 

 holding fish, so far as my observation extends. 

 For the purpose of dying my feathers and 

 dubbing when required, I use saffron, anatto, 

 onion peelings, verdigris, Brazil wood, in- 

 digo, and red cloth, with a small portion of 

 alum and copperas to fix the dye ; and from 

 these I can produce all the necessary shades 

 of green, yellow, blue, red, orange, and 

 brown. Are you sleeping, Roddam ? 



Roddam. Only till you are done with the 

 dubbing-bag, and your description of flies, 

 which operate on me in the same manner 



