DRY-FLY ON LOUGH ARROW i8i 



for splicing is ^-in. rubber adhesive plaster on linen or 

 brown holland made by Ferris and Co., Bristol. If 

 the rod can be kept up it is advisable to give a coat 

 or two of good varnish over the splices. The rings 

 throughout should be small, of brown porcelain, lashed 

 directly on to the rod with strong silk ; metal sup- 

 ports are too heavy and spoil the balance of the rod. 

 Good hard metal bridge rings with agate linings to 

 the ring at the tip and the lowest ring at the butt 

 may be used. I like having a pair of rods in the boat 

 ready for use — it often saves very valuable time. 

 The rods should be varnished with matt or dull 

 varnish." 



" A good oil-dressed single tapered 30-yd. silk line 



with 50 yd. of backing is. 



Line. required. It should taper from 



D to G, or fly end "024 in. ; and 

 yd., -027 ; 3rd yd., '032 ; 4th yd., '035. It must be a 

 good, soft and easily handled line that will palm and 

 shoot well. A really good line is a priceless treasure 

 and worthy of care being taken of it. It should be 

 taken off the reel after a day's fishing, dried, and 

 before use rubbed over with Mucilin (maker, Aspinall, 

 Carlton Street, Bolton)." 



" When not in use lines should not be kept on reels 

 for any length of time. The dressed part can be 

 taken off the reel, made into loose coils, tied in places 

 to keep the coils together, and the reel and line hung 

 up out of the way ; after a season's fishing the 

 dressed portion should be cut from the backing, 



