10 THE FISHING-BOD; 



purpose as shoemaker's wax. A little practice 

 will soon enable him to perform this initiatory 

 proceeding neatly and skilfully. 



Having whipped the hook to the gut, make a 

 loop at the upper end by whipping it down with 

 waxed silk, first softening the gut as before 

 directed. The hook is then ready to attach to 

 the line, which having also a loop, the two may 

 be joined together by merely passing the loop of 

 the hook-gut over the line-loop, and then draw- 

 ing the hook through the line-loop. In this 

 manner hooks may be attached to and taken off 

 the line almost instantly. 



By the same process the fishing-line may be 

 attached to the top-piece of the fishing-rod, or to 

 the trolling or running line ; and two or more 

 lines may be joined together in the same man- 

 ner. 



FLOATS. 



FLOATS may be had in great variety of any of the 

 fishing-tackle makers ; and at a cost so trifling 

 that anglers of the humblest means need not 

 take the trouble to make them ; and indeed it is 

 seldom a "home-made" float swims truly or 

 looks neat. 



