82 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



and held ; while if the knot is pushed down the loop of 

 the leader, as shown in the first figure, it is clear that 

 the end is at once freed from pressure, and may be easily 

 withdrawn and the knot released. To facilitate this, 

 some double the end before putting it under the line, as 

 shown in the second figure. Then a pull on the end 

 loosens the knot, just as a shoe is untied. If, however, 

 the knot is allowed to " upset," this is the result, in which 

 it is clear, first, that the end of the line is not " jammed," 

 and second, that the knot cannot easily be unfastened. 



Fig. 28. A, line; B, leader. 



If not already familiar with this knot, try it right here 

 with a piece of string. It is very simple. Half a dozen 

 experiments, guided by the diagram, will indelibly im- 

 press it on the memory. No person learns a knot solely 

 from inspection of a drawing. But such inspection be- 

 comes study when combined with an effort to follow out 

 the illustration in practice, and this is the way, and the 

 only way, and at the same time a sure way, to master a 

 matter of this kind. Some complain they can never learn 

 a knot from a book. The only difficulty is that such do 

 not attack it in the right way. Any of the simple knots 

 required by the angler can thus readily be mastered, 

 provided the learner will only try string in hand. 



How far the drop-flies should be placed from the tail- 

 fly depends on circumstances. With a long rod they 

 may be nearer than with a short rod, so also when wad- 



