14 My Mahseer drag. Chapt. ii. 



slack line for a moment. But with the rod at this angle 

 the fish gets the line out much too easily, unless it is 

 stopped by other means than the bend of the rod. The 

 line cannot be stayed by the hand, for if running out 

 fast it will cut and burn so that no second attempt is 

 likely to be made in this direction. When the very brass 

 of the eye at the tip of the rod is cut into decided groves, 

 it is a caution against putting a finger on the flying line. 

 The cuff of the coat can however be pressed against the 

 rod and line, or a good thick riding glove is sometimes 

 used by salmon fishers. But it is too hot to wear a thick 

 glove in India, and I have an idea that the following 

 expedient will be found convenient. I say I have an 

 idea because since- I thought of it, and had desired to 

 test it, I have never had a heavy fish on. I am however 

 resolved to try it on the first opportunity, and I suggest 

 the experiment to others as an untried experiment and 

 no more. 



It is simply this. Set any village cobbler to sew 

 some leather in the shape of a tube about five inches 

 long or thereabouts, and just large enough to allow a 

 quill pen to pass through it. Have sewn to one end 

 a cord long enough to tie the tube on to the rod. Tie 

 the tube on to the rod by this cord parallel with the rod 

 and a little above the winch, just where it will be con- 

 venient to you to lay a hand on it when playing a fish. 

 Tie it cord end upwards, or cord end away from the 

 winch. One end of the tube will thus be fixed to the 

 rod and the other hang free. In putting up the rod 



