FISHING TACKLE AND HOW TO MAKE IT. 



451 



5 and 6 are used. Fig. 5, drawn tight, is reliable, and readily 

 made. Fig. 6 is based on the same principles with the addi- 

 tion of an interlacing of horse-hair or gut, as shown. This 

 latter acts as a buffer, like the buffer-springs of a steam--car, 



and does not add to the size of the knot materially. When 

 all is drawn tight, the actual bearing is on the intervening 

 "buffer", and of course the risk of breakage is thus reduced to 



Fig. 6. 



a minimum. If a loop be desired in the leader, it can easily 

 be woven in between the knots, and is absolutely secure. 



One other knot may be given as reliable and convenient. 

 Fig. 7 shows it. I give it place here as an alternative 



only, and do not recommend it in place of the "buffer," 

 (fig. 6). It is the one commonly used, but is liable to snap 

 when dry, as I have proved to my cost. 



The above knots are sufficient for any and all purposes, 

 and I need not add to this part of the subject of tackle- 

 preparation by additional descriptions. 



SECTION 2 — lines: gut, haik, silk, gimp, etc. 

 The next consideration obviously is the materials in con- 

 nection with which the knots given are used. The first of 

 these, and perhaps the most important, is gut. This mate- 



