ls and Lines._--Always carry a couple of reels with you, the smaller
with 60 yards of fine line, and the larger with not less than 100 yards
of grilse line. Silk-and-hair lines are not very expensive, and with a
little care will last a long time. They will be found the most
satisfactory for all kinds of fly-work. The reels which we consider best
are made of bronzed metal and vulcanite: they are light, and stand a lot
of wear. When buying your rods, get the reels fitted to them, and see
that the fit is sufficiently tight, as nothing is more annoying than to
find the ferrules loosening their hold of the reel, and that, perhaps,
at a most critical moment. Should the reels referred to not be heavy
enough to balance the rods properly--and this is a matter of great
importance--it may be as well to take reels made entirely of bronzed
metal.

_Fly-Book._--We are not much in favour of fly-books. They are a great
temptation to keeping a large stock of flies; and in the following
chapter we will show that the fewer flies one possesses the better. A
serious objection to a fly-book is, that the flies get crushed in it,
and we consider a box a better receptacle; but if the angler will have a
fly-book, one of moderate size--rather to the big size if anything--made
of pig-skin leather, and well provided with pouches for holding
casting-lines, as well as the usual receptacles for flies, will be found
best. These books are to be had in great variety at any wholesale tackle
warehouse; and taste goes a long way in non-essentials.

Beyond the articles mentioned, the angler should always have at hand the
following:--

Spring balance, weighing up to 20 lb.
Small screw-driver.
Small gimlet.
Small bottle clockmaker's oil.
Bottle varnish.
Carriage-lamp, and candles to fit, for travelling.
Two packs playing-cards.
Good-sized flask.
Flat glass or horn drinking-cup.
Pocket-scissors. The kind that shut up will be found very useful.
Corkscrew.
Hank of medium gut for emergencies.
Fine silk thread and resin.
Some common thin twine for tying joints of rod together.
Also articles named in Chapter V., p. 21, under "Trolling-Tackle and
Lures."

Many of these things may be considered quite _de trop_; but the longer
one fishes, the more one finds out that the little luxuries give a vast
amount of enjoyment for the small amount of foresight required to have
them at hand when wanted.

CHAPTER IV.

FLIES AND CASTING-LINES.