Leaders. 75 



strength, but, giving more reflection, are consequently 

 far more conspicuous in or on the water. Throw these 

 away without hesitation, for they are worse than useless. 

 When doubt is experienced whether any of the remain- 

 ing strands should be classified with those first select- 

 ed, begin at the other end of the scale, and proceed in 

 the same manner to select and separate all the thin- 

 nest strands. Thus make three bundles of large, me- 

 dium, and small gut. You are now ready to tie your 

 leaders. 



First, however, the proposed length must be deter- 

 mined, and this should be such that when the tail -fly 

 is hooked upon one of the posts separating the side plates 

 of the reel, the leader will extend to within eight inches 

 or a foot of the tip-end of the rod. Make the upper 

 third of the leader from the bundle composed of the 

 largest gut, the middle from the medium bundle, and 

 the fly end from that containing the thinnest gut. 



Having selected the strands, but still keeping them 

 separate by tying each little bundle with a different 

 colored thread, soften by soaking in warm water, such 

 as is not uncomfortable to the touch. Ordinarily cold 

 water is to be preferred to soften a leader preparatory 

 to attaching it to the line, but where knots are to be 

 tied the utmost softness is required, not only that the 

 gut may not crack during the operation, but to insure 

 that each knot draws so tight as thereafter to be beyond 

 the possibility of slipping. 



When the gut is perfectly pliable, beginning at the 

 line end, select the largest strand, and doubling one end 

 into a loop, tie this ordinary knot, using the doubled part 

 as though it were a single piece of string. Arrange 

 the position of the knot so as to give a loop from one- 



