-mm 1 



36 THE DRY-FLY MAN'S HANDBOOK 



with the hardened oil and the surface is quite round 

 and smooth, the dull appearance left by the pumice 

 powder can be got rid of and the line polished by rub- 

 bing it with the thumb and forefinger just smeared in 

 oil. This will dry very quickly, and a final coat applied 

 in the same way will cover over all marks left on the 

 previous coat by the bars of the frame. Care must be 

 taken that only the very smallest quantity possible of 

 oil is applied in these last two coats, as if too much is 

 used the surface will be spoilt, and the line will 

 require to be rubbed down again with pumice. If all 

 goes well, the line should be put away in a warm, dry 

 place, hanging in a loose hank, and not used for at 

 least a twelve-month ; in fact, the longer the line is 

 kept after having been dressed the longer will it last, 

 the better will it wear, and the more satisfaction will it 

 yield." 



" It must be admitted, however, that a line dressed 

 with nothing but pure oil, though extremely supple 

 and delightful to use, will not stand the application of 

 all the varieties of preparations sold for greasing lines. 

 It has been found that pure deer's fat, for some as yet 

 unknown reason, appears to act chemically on this 

 dressing and cause a sort of eruption from within, 

 which, though not making the line in any way tacky, 

 yet breaks through to the surface of the dressing and 

 allows the water to enter and rot the line. I have not 

 yet ascertained what this action is and how it is caused, 

 but it has been suggested that there is a certain 

 quantity of size applied to the silk whilst being plaited 



