54 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
And first with regard to the very common practice of 
lapping the ends of the gut at each side of the knot. I 
am at a loss to explain the origin of this custom, which 
must be as troublesome to the maker as it is objectless 
to the user. Indeed it is worse than objectless: it is dis- 
tinctly mischievous. It adds weight, so far as it goes, 
and clumsiness to what ought to be as light as possible ; 
and it dots with opaque “splotches,” at regular intervals, 
what would otherwise be a transparent, gossamer-like 
strand from end to end. Indeed in bright clear weather 
I have frequently seen both Trout and Grayling rise at 
the knots on a fisherman’s line who showed ost (query 
propter ?) no inclination whatever to meddle with his 
flies. It is hardly necessary to point out that for practical 
purposes the lapping of the short end of the gut outside 
the knot adds nothing whatever to the strength of the 
line. 
For all fishing where exceptional strength is not 
required, the common single fisherman’s knot, un- 
lapped, is sufficient for every purpose, and the neatest 
and strongest that can 
be used. It is made by 
7? 
SINGLE FISHERMANS KNOT 
tying a half knot round 
each strand of gut with the end of the other strand, in 
the form shown in the cut; then drawing both knots 
tight, and lastly drawing them closely together and cut- 
ting off the ends. 
In the exceptional cases adverted to, when extra 
