440 Book of the Black Bass. 



man can lose what he never had " — you can lose your temi- 

 per under such trying circumstances, which is worse. 



It would be useless to give any directions for water- 

 proofing Hnes, for it is a very difficult thing to do well; 

 and, moreover, prepared lines are now so cheaply and well 

 made that it will pay the angler to buy- them, if he needs 

 waterproof "lines. If a line loses its color or tint, it can 

 be soaked in strong green tea, or a weak solution of indigo, 

 to be well-dried afterward. To take the kink, so far as it 

 can be done, out of laid or twisted lines, let them out their 

 full length; and draw them loosely through the water, with- 

 out hook or sinker, from the stern of a boat as it is rowed 

 along, or over the lawn, to be then stretched and dried. 

 Xever use a reel-line with a knot in it; better, by far, 

 make some boy happy by giving it to him to catch perch 

 and " sunnies." 



Cabe of other Tackle. 



Artificial flies should be closely looked after, summer 

 and winter, to preserve tliem from their worst enemy — the 

 moth. When put away for the winter, see that the fly- 

 book, or other receptacle, is perfectly clean; dust out the 

 leaves and pockets before putting the flies in. See that 

 the flies are perfect in feather and snell; reject all that 

 are much worn or seem moth-eaten, and those which have 

 worn, frayed or otherwise imperfect snells. Place patch- 

 ouly, or gum camphor, wrapped in paper, in the pockets 

 and between the leaves, and inclose the whole, securely, in 

 cotton cloth. 



Leaders should be carefully looked to, and only those 

 that are perfect retained. Imperfect ones may be utilized 

 for snells. Hooks should be kept sharpened, and free from 

 rust; it is a good plan to wipe them, after use, with an 



