88 GUT. 



reveal their inferiority. The advantage of silk- 

 worm gut over every other kind is unquestionable, 

 and that alone should be used by the fly-fisher. 

 It is sold in skeins containing each a hundred 

 threads, and in choosing it care should be taken 

 to select those threads which are clear and round 

 rejecting all that are flat and dull coloured. 

 " The best proof of the strength of the gut," 

 says Professor Eennie, " is its hardness. Bite 

 it, and if it resists the teeth like wire, that is, 

 does not easily give way, it is good. . . . That 

 which is quickly bitten through, and makes little 

 resistance to the teeth, will not hold a fish in 

 a proper manner." When gut, by frequent 

 using, becomes worn and frayed, it may be easily 

 renovated by the application of Indian rubber. 

 There is much difference in the quality of gut, 

 and therefore some difficulty in stating the price 

 at which it may be purchased ; but as we think 

 that the plan we have commenced of giving the 

 usual prices of the different articles may be useful 

 to the inexperienced angler, we shall do so as 

 nearly as possible in every instance. It will be 

 sufficiently exact to say that very excellent fly- 

 gut may be purchased at three or four shillings 

 per skein. 



We shall now say a few words about a small 



