FLY-FISHING. 261 



being, if possible, the worst, for while it has the 

 weakness of the horse-hair, and water-soaking capa- 

 city of tlie silk, it has a difficulty especially its own, 

 arising from the protrusion of short ends of hair 

 that have broken or rotted oif, and which are con- 

 tinually catching the rings or guides. The common 

 silk line may be coated with raw linseed oil by 

 stretching it in a garret or some place shaded from 

 the sun, and rubbing it with a cloth soaked in the 

 oil; several coats must be applied, allowing each to 

 dry before a renewal, and care must be taken to 

 avoid exposure to the sun's rays, which will rot the 

 line. If thoroughly coated it wiU answer nearly as 

 well as if prepared in a more scientific manner. 



The elegance, ease, and delicacy of casting 

 depend much upon the proportions of the leader or 

 casting-line, its length, taper, and adaptation to the 

 line and rod ; if these are not accurately ascertained 

 and complied with — and they can only be determined 

 by actual experience with each rod and line — the 

 execution will be faulty. Consequently no absolute 

 rule can be given, but the length and taper must de- 

 pend upon circumstances. The strands of gut are 

 selected, the clearest, roundest, and hardest being 

 the best, and haying been assorted according to size, 

 are tied together with the double-water knot for sal- 

 mon-fishing, and with either the same or the single- 

 water knot for trout. If it is desired to fasten the 

 droppers between the knots, the latter must be used, 

 and the gut must be well soaked in warm water 

 before it is tied. Leaders thus prepared and suited 



