The Stmjish Family 19 



stained or not, though there is no advantage in 

 coloring it ; I prefer the natural hue. There 

 should be a loop at the small end, and one three 

 feet above it, for attaching the snells of flies. 

 Before using it, it must be soaked in water until 

 soft and pliable. Extra leaders may be carried 

 in a box between layers of damp felt, so as to be 

 ready for emergencies. The best and smallest 

 and most secure knot for tying the lengths of 

 gut together in making the leader is a simple 

 half-hitch, like tying a single knot in a piece of 

 string. When thoroughly soaked, the two ends 

 to be tied are lapped a couple of inches, and a 

 single knot, or half-hitch made in them, pulling 

 the knot tight, and cutting off the loose ends 

 closely. 



Snells should be three or four inches long, of 

 good single gut, the shorter length for end fly. 

 If the flies are made with a loop at the head, the 

 snells for same should have a loop at each end 

 for attaching to both fly and leader. If flies are 

 made on eyed hooks, the snell should have but 

 one loop for the leader, and a free end for tying 

 to the eye of hook. The best knot for the pur- 

 pose is made by passing the end of snell through 

 the eye of hook, then around the shank just below 



