CHAPTER VII 



THE FIRST LESSON THE GUT LOOP 



WE are now really ready to begin the creation 

 of a salmon fly, and our first lesson will have 

 to be very carefully learnt, for upon the sound- 

 ness and general good quality of this the first 

 stage of our task will depend not only the 

 symmetrical appearance of the fly, but its dura- 

 bility in practice. 



Take a hook (say a "rational" 1^ inches 

 long, see Plate X., Group C) and proceed to 

 test it so as to be quite sure that it is a good 

 one. Examine the point and barb carefully. 

 The former must be very sharp, and the latter 

 should not be deeply cut. Fix the point into 

 the edge of the table, or into any piece of soft 

 wood, and holding it by the tip of the shank, 

 give a sudden smart pull so as to make the 

 bend gape widely. After this test the hook 

 should spring back to its original shape, and 



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