3 o SALMON AND TROUT. 



The article already quoted from Sporting and Fishing 

 explains the most salient defects of the old system of lapping 

 on hooks and flies to separate strands of gut. Of minor, but 

 still serious drawbacks, must be reckoned the difficulty of 

 carrying about a sufficient supply of ' gut hooks ' or still more 

 of flies of all needful sizes, and the destructive effects of time 

 upon the contents of the 'stock box.' Apart from ' moth,' this 

 happens partly owing to the ' rotting ' of the gut at the point" 

 of contact with the steel hook shank, and partly to the desicca- 

 tion (drying up) of the wax on the lapping by which the gut is 

 attached. 



And all these defects defects inherent in the principle of 

 lapped-on hooks, and which cannot be gainsaid are at once 

 overcome by the new eyed-hook system. 



Jt is that system to which I refer when I say that by it 

 all the disadvantages attaching either to the artificial fly or 

 plain hook lapped on separate strands of gut are entirely got 

 rid of. 



By knotting on the fly or hook direct to the main line 

 (' gut-trace,' ' collar,' * casting-line,' * bottom-line,' * foot-line ') 

 the fly or hook that has become worn at the head can be 

 removed, and in a few seconds re-attached to the same already 

 well-soaked, well-tapered, and evenly tinted line; thereafter 

 remaining as serviceable as ever. 



The minor drawbacks alluded to of the old system are also 

 obviated by the new, as the necessary selection of flies and 

 hooks can be kept in stock for years without any fear of 

 deterioration. The economy in the matter of space, both in 

 the stock-box and fly-book, is, moreover, considerable. As 

 many flies or hooks as are required for a day's fishing could be 

 carried, I might almost say, in the waistcoat pocket. Indeed, 

 I have now before me just such a fly-box (made by Foster's, 

 of Ashbourne) not a bit too large to be carried in the pocket of 

 the waistcoat, being barely 3 inches long by ij inch wide, 

 and containing eight strips of cork. It ought to carry easily 



