REELS, LINES AND LEADERS 77 



for three, cut away the waste at each end of the 

 strands and soak them for an hour or so in tepid 

 water. The method of connecting the single strands 

 is as follows: When the strands have been rendered 

 sufficiently pliable by soaking, tie a half-hitch, loosely, 

 at the end of a strand, put the end of another strand 

 through the loop in first, and then, again loosely, tie 

 a half-hitch around the first strand. Then, separately, 

 draw each knot tight and, finally, pull the two knots 

 together good and hard. This is known as the single 

 water knot. To make the loops at each end of the 

 leader, bend over for about two inches the end of the 

 gut so that it lies along the rest of -the strand and tie 

 a half-hitch, an ordinary knot. 



The end loops as well as the dropper loops should 

 be made as you go along and before the gut dries. 

 The dropper loops are best made at the end of the 

 strand, the junction of two strands. For the dropper 

 loop tie loosely, without pulling tight, at the end of 

 a strand, an ordinary half-hitch as for an end loop; 

 put the end of the next strand through the small knot- 

 loop (the small knot at base of half-hitch loop) in 

 the first, and then proceed as when tying two strands 

 together. It sounds very much harder than it really 

 is. The leader should be tested, and suspended with a 

 small weight to straighten it. 



Leaders must always be well soaked before using 

 them for fishing. The kit must contain a leader box, 

 preferably of nickel, as the aluminum ones are too 



