450 



AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



Another loop is seen in fig. 2, and it also is a very secure 

 one. It is easily made. The loop being formed, it is passed 

 in a figure-8 form and drawn tight. Of course, it need 

 scarcely be added that gut or hair should be well soaked 



before tying. Fig. 3 shows the famous bowline knot, and it 

 needs no special recommendation from me. It is secure, 

 and easily loosened; but on this latter account it is not, I 

 think, to be unqualifiedly recommended for gut leaders. 



The three loops above are all-sufficient for snells or lead- 

 ers. Before leaving this part of the subject, however, I 

 must draw attention to the best method of joining the reel- 



line to a gut or gimp snell or leader. Fig. 4 indicates it. 

 The tighter this is drawn the more secure it is. and yet it 

 can be instantly undone by pulling on the free end — a con- 

 sideration sometimes of great value, when time is of impor- 

 tance. 



Junction knots serving to connect the parts of tackle — for 

 example, leaders — need to be especially secure, and as far as 

 possible, free from sharp and sudden angles and bearings. 

 Usually — with the ordinarily tied leader — the breaking strain 

 causes it to part at the knot. This need not be so, if figs. 



