THE BROOK-ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT 17 



over, as close as possible to the left ; this loop is 

 confined by the left th,umb and forefinger, and a 

 second similar loop turned over and laid on the 

 first. The end and strand on the right are then 

 put through both loops, and finally the ends and 

 strands at left and right are pulled till the knot is 

 quite tight, and the waste ends are snipped off 

 close. This knot takes a trifle more of the ends of 

 strands to tie, but as one gets used to it less will 

 be needed. Previous to knotting, it is indispens- 

 able that the gut should be soaked in tepid water 

 for fifteen minutes. In knotting strands of gut 

 together it is most advisable to tie thick end to 

 thick end, and thin to thin, since a disparity in 

 size of the ends to be secured together would be 

 apt to cause the weaker gut to break under strain, 

 even with this knot. Should this knot require to 

 be made at the waterside, the ends can be 

 thoroughly moistened in the mouth. Traces for 

 minnow spinning need not exceed 4 ft. and are 

 better made of good refina gut. Mounted with 

 two small swivels brass or German silver swivels 

 do not rust like steel they can be had from any 

 dealer at 6d. each. I shall refer to minnow hook 

 tackle elsewhere. It will be convenient here to 

 mention the hooks for worm-fishing and dapping, 

 and the method of securing them to the gut, for if 



