GUT KNOTS. 



47 



quite strong enough when obtained of the best quality, 

 Between the top of the casting line and bottom of the reel- 

 line, however, it will generally be found convenient always 

 in the case of salmon lines to interpose a couple of feet or 

 so of some thicker medium, and for this purpose twisted 

 tapered gut ' points,' as they are called, with the lengths neatly 

 spliced (not knotted) together, can now be 

 obtained. The old-fashioned ' points ' made 

 in separate lengths, and joined with a huge 

 unsightly knot, are distinctly objectionable. 



This twisted 'intermediary' materially 

 increases, I think, the ease and nicety of 

 the cast in the case of both trout and 

 salmon lines. The thick end of the twisted 

 point should be neatly lapped on to the end 

 of the reel-line, and is most conveniently 

 terminated by a knot, as small as may be, 

 which is attached to the loop of the gut 

 casting line by a sort of modified 'jam,' 

 readily admitting of detachment. For 

 very light trout or grayling fishing, a few 

 strands of stouter gut, tapered, may be 

 substituted for the twisted point, the casting 

 line being knotted on by the ordinary fisher- 

 man's knot, and cut apart at the end of the 

 day, or where an extra finely tapered reel- 

 line is employed both gut and twist may 

 be dispensed with. 



Staining All sorts of stains are re- 

 corded by different authors and adopted 

 by different fishermen according to individual taste and 

 fancy. I used personally to fancy what is known as the 

 red water stain for rivers where the water took a darkish 

 or porter-coloured tint after a fresh, and for ' white ' waters 

 a light bluish or cloud colour. I am by no means clear, 

 however, that in the case of the fly-fisher there is any sufficient 



FIG. 10. ATTACHMENT 

 BETWEEN REEL-LINE 

 AND CASTING LINK. 



