MISCELLANEA, 57 
that the casting-line at that point is trebly stiffened, with 
scarcely a perceptible increase of thickness or clumsi- 
ness. Over the central knot the loop of the drop-fly 
should be passed and drawn close in the manner shown 
in figure 3. 
For the tying of these loops, and all others used in 
fishing, I have, I believe, succeeded in hitting upon a 
new and considerably improved form of knot,—the 
crdinary loop being both clumsy and crooked (a serious 
drawback to the perfect set of the fly), and, in thick 
gut, very difficult to manipulate. My knot (fig. 2, and 
x in fig. 3) is simply a new application of the principle of 
the ordinary single fisherman’s knot, thus: a half-knot 
is made, about an inch and a half or two inches from 
the end of the gut, dut not drawn quite tight ; the end 
of the gut is doubled over and passed back again from 
above through the opening ; and then again, with this end, 
a second half-knot, embracing the main link, is made be- 
low the first. Both half-knots are then separately pulled 
tight, and drawn together. This produces the smallest 
possible knot, and one which will never draw and is 
perfectly straight. [I am indebted to the courtesy of 
Mr. Van Voorst for the use of the woodcut, which 
originally appeared in the Angler-Naturalst.] 
TROUT DROP-FLIES. 
There are several ways recommended by angling 
authors for attaching the drop-fly to the casting-line, 
