38 THE DRY-FLY MAN'S HANDBOOK 



lost, which of course increases the cost of the line in 

 the same proportion. From this degummed silk, the 

 lines are plaited according to the size wanted, and in 

 doing this it is usual to employ weights. These are 

 attached to the strands designed to form the line, 

 and vary according to the closeness of the plait 

 desired. In this process it is very necessary to get 

 the exact tension, so that the finished product shall be 

 quite flexible and yet have a perfectly gut-like 

 surface." 



"After plaiting, the lines are carefully examined 

 and all roughnesses attended to. The process of 

 dressing is then commenced, the first part of which 

 consists either in placing the lines with oil under the 

 air-pump, or in tanks with oil until they are thoroughly 

 saturated. They are then taken out and all the sur- 

 face oil wiped off, when they are hung up to dry. The 

 drying of course requires a certain amount of time, 

 and varies according to the condition of the atmo- 

 sphere and the particular nature of the oil which has 

 been used. When sufficiently dry, they are rubbed 

 lightly down and carefully examined, so that any 

 little unevenness may be attended to. The line 

 is then given another coat of oil, and again allowed 

 to dry. This process is repeated eight or nine times, 

 until a perfectly smooth surface is produced. When 

 this stage has been reached, the lines are finally 

 examined very carefully, and where necessary, extra 

 rubbing down is done. The last process is to stretch 

 the lines, and give them a coat of special varnish. 



