78 MODERN SEA FISHING 



take up the silkworm gut question. So far, strands of gut from 

 five to seven feet in length have been produced from the Tussur 

 silkworm, but owing to inexperienced manipulation they have 

 not had the necessary strength. The length, however, is re- 

 markable. Good long gut has also come over from Japan ; so 

 before very long we may look for snoods and casts without 

 any knots whatever. But so long as knots are essential, the 

 improved buffer must be regarded as the best. On it may be 

 hung a dropper for a second fly, if needed, in the manner 

 illustrated. If the cast is made up with ordinary knots, the 

 ends of the knot at the spot where the dropper is to be attached 



DROPPER ON BUFFER 

 KNOT 



DROPPER ON CAST MADE UP 

 WITH ORDINARY KNOTS 



should be prolonged and whipped down to increase the strength 

 at that point. 



The cost of gut varies in a great measure, according to its 

 length. Nowadays we are often able to buy hanks of very 

 stout, short, cheap gut, which do for sea fishing, particularly 

 for the hook links of paternosters, at a very reasonable rate. 

 Sunlight and a dry atmosphere are particularly injurious to 

 gut. It is a good plan to keep any casts or hanks of gut 

 wrapped up in washleather and placed in a tin case. Odd 

 pieces of gut, or casts or snoods which are intended for use 

 during the day, will keep pliable, knotable, and free from curls 



