30 THE ANGLER S GUIDE. 



broken rod, in case of accident, when he is pursuing 

 his sport 3 for which purpose, take the following di- 

 rections — 



First, To tie on a Hook. Hold the hook between 

 the thumb and tinger of your left hand, and whip round 

 the shank, from the bend of the hook to the top, some 

 fine silk waxed with shoemakers' wax ; then lay the 

 hair or gut on it, and whip it over very close with the 

 waxed silk, from the top of the shank till )t)u come 

 opposite the point of the hook ; then draw the silk 

 through the loop, which is made by leaving it three 

 turns slack, and cut off the spare silk. The knot used 

 in making fishing lines is called a water knot, which 

 is made by passing the ends twice over, and then draw- 

 ing them tight 5 this knot wUl never draw or slip. To 

 wax the fine silk used in whipping or tying on hooks 

 requires some care ; therefore, take the following di- 

 rections : — Get a piece of stout leather, such as the 

 upper part of shoes or boots are made of, and lay some 

 shoemakers' wax of the softest sort, smoothly on it ; 

 then take three or four lengths of silk together, and 

 draw them over the wax with one hand, keeping the 

 thumb of the other hand lightly pressed on the silk, 

 the waxed leather laying or resting on the finger of the 

 same hand, until the whole is well coated with wax ; 

 then take each piece separately, and draw it briskly, be- 

 tween a piece of soft or wash leather, by which friction 

 every part of the silk will be equally waxed, and then 

 fit for use. — Note, fine silk is not strong enough to be 

 waxed singly 3 and it is a saving way, after having 



