loss of time in extricating them; therefore a net that
is sufficiently deep to hold a good fish without admitting a
possibility of escape, is the kind of net you require.

WINCHES OR REELS.

Winches may be bought at all tackle shops, and of any size you wish. My
remarks on them extend only to this, that they are very useful
appendages to any rod, and give you great advantage over a good fish,
enabling you to give line and play him as you like; should a breakage
of your top or other part of your rod happen, you have it safe, being
held by your reel line. A light winch that will hold from 25 to 35
yards of line is sufficient for Trout. A Salmon winch should be capable
of holding from 50 to 80 yards of line.

GUT AND HAIR.

In selecting gut for Trout fishing, choose that which is round and
fine. What is termed manufactured gut, may be had at most tackle shops,
it is exceedingly fine but not durable, the best I ever met with was at
Rowel's, at Carlisle, 1d. per length. Hair should be bright, round and
strong, chestnut hair suits moss or discoloured waters, if you can
procure hair of a light or bluish tint, that is the best of colours;
both gut and hair should be wet when knotted.

RODS.

The three distinguishing characteristics of a really good fly rod are
strength, elasticity, and lightness, such rods are to be bought in the
London tackle shops for a pound; these rods are perfect as three or
four piece rods, but I much prefer one for my own use in only two
pieces, such a rod is more readily put to, and taken from together than
one consisting of three or more joints; not so liable to get out of
order, and has a truer bend with it when subjected to pressure. I
recommend a rod having a root 9 feet, and a top of 5 feet, making
together 14 feet in length, as the most useful; a fir root, and top of
good sound lance wood, well painted, ringed and varnished, makes a neat
and serviceable rod. For trolling, your top should be stiff and strong.
For worm not so pliable as your fly top.

LINES.

Lines composed entirely of hair, are lighter on the water than those
made of silk and hair mixed, perhaps the latter is the stronger line of
the two, but it both carries more water and is more expensive. A winch
line should be for Trout from 25 to 35 yards in length, and may be
bought at all tackle shops, at the rate of a 1d., 1-1/2d. and 2d. per
yard, according to quality; at so cheap a rate, it is scarcely worth