AN ANGLER S NOTES ON THE BEAVERKILL 



of the rod ; it should reach, after the end fly is attached, 

 from the reel to within three inches of the tip ; the 

 color should be a light blue, commonly called mist 

 color ; the strength should be equal to the strength of 

 the largest trout you expect to catch ; this you must 

 decide by putting your leader to a severe test ; after 

 first soaking it well, hook one end over some conven- 

 ient object, and then pull — don't be afraid of it, pull 

 hard ; if it breaks you can easily tie it again. Don't 

 continue to use a leader too long ; it is wise to give it 

 a good test two or three times a day. In attaching the 

 droppers, I prefer, for stream-fishing, to put the fly di- 

 rectly on the leader and not on a loop. The object to 

 be obtained is to keep the fly from whipping around 

 the leader. My experience has taught me that the fly 

 stands out better when fastened directly to the leader ; 

 this is done simply by looping up an inch or so of the 

 leader just above a knot and then slipping the loop of 

 the fly over the leader, then putting the fly through the 

 loop and pulling it taut ; the snell of the fly must, of 

 course, be previously well soaked. In putting on the 

 fly be sure to have the point ioivard you, otherwise it 

 will float on its back. This is an important matter 

 that you cannot be too careful about ; watch constantly 

 to see that your flies float naturally and not upside 

 down. I do not like drawn gut, it is too brittle ; it 

 seems to dry very quickly, and when dry breaks with 

 a snap. 



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