350 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



drying requires three or four times as long as the time he 

 mentions. The gold-size mentioned in the note can be had 

 of those who sell painters' materials ; I have bought it of 

 Mr. C. Shrack, in Fourth street above Cherry, Philadelphia. 



Casting-Lines should be of treble twisted gut, for the 

 three gut-lengths next to the reel-line ; the next two or three 

 lengths should be of double twisted gut, and the remainder 

 of stout single gut, each length finer than the preceding one 

 as it nears the end. Single gut is strong enough to hold any 

 Salmon if properly handled, but the treble and double lengths 

 and then the single length, graduate the line to a proper taper, 

 thus increasing the ease and lightness in throwing the fly. _ 

 When the water is discolored after a rise in the river, a 

 casting-line of ten feet is long enough. As the water becomes 

 clearer, the length should be gradually increased by adding 

 lengths of single gut at the lower end, until it is nearly or 

 quite as long as the rod. By doing so, one can cast a lighter 

 line, and, of course, the probability of raising a Salmon will 

 be greater than it would be -by allowing the heavy reel line to 

 fall or swing near the fish. 



Salmon-Flies. — There is an endless variety in the combi- 

 nations and colors of the feathers, dubbing, and tinsel, that 

 go to make up the Salmon-flies described in books and sold 

 in tackle stores. Of the latter, many are made by persons 

 who never saw a live Salmon, and are tied more to please the 

 eye of the purchaser, than with any idea that they will entice 



japanners term it), and give an even gloss over the whole. It must then 

 be left to dry as before : the length of time, as it depends on the weather 

 and place, observation must determine upon. By this means it becomes 

 impervious to wet and sufficiently stiff, never to clog or entangle — the oil 

 producing the former quality, and the gold-size (which is insoluble in 

 water) the latter ; while the commixture prevents the size becoming too 

 hard and stiff." 



