MISCELLANEA. 5/ 



that the casting-line at that point is trebly stiffened, with 

 scarcely a perceptible increase of thickness or clumsi- 

 ness. Over the central knot the loop of the drop-fly 

 should be passed and drawn close in the manner shown 

 in figure 3. 



For the tying of these loops, and all others used in 

 fishing, I have, I believe, succeeded in hitting upon a 

 new and considerably improved form of knot, — the 

 ordinary loop being both clumsy and crooked (a serious 

 drawback to the perfect set of the fly), and, in thick 

 gut, very difificult to manipulate. My knot (fig. 2, and 

 X in fig. 3) is simply a new application of the principle of 

 the ordinary single fisherman's knot, thus : a half-knot 

 is made, about an inch and a half or two inches from 

 the end of the gut, but not drazvn quite tight ; the end 

 of the gut is doubled" over and passed back again from 

 above through the opening ; and then again, with this end,. 

 a second half-knot, embracing the main link, is made be- 

 low the first. Both half-knots are then separately pulled 

 tight, and drawn together. This produces the smallest 

 possible knot, and one which will never draw and is 

 perfectly straight. [I am indebted to the courtesy of 

 Mr. Van Voorst for the use of the woodcut, which 

 originally appeared in the Angler-NatiLraiist^\ 



TROUT DROP-FLIES. 



There are several ways recommended by angling 

 authors for attaching the drop-fly to the casting-line. 



