GUT STAINS. 23 



be used. The former quickly gets rough, and as soon as this 

 happens it should either be rubbed smooth with indiarubber. 

 or a fresh length used. The finest undrawn gut is useful 

 for fish which do not exceed 21b. in weight. Larger fish 

 require stronger tackle, unless the water is free from weeds, 

 Good gut is round, long, and free from specks when held 

 up to the light. The lengths are best joined together by 

 the knot shown in Fig. 10 ; but the gut must be first 

 Boaked in cold water — rain-water for preference — for at least 

 an hour. When time is valuable, warm water may be used, 

 but its use is not advisable. The hook-link generally has a 

 loop at the end of it, which is used to fasten the hook to 

 a corresponding loop at the end of the main length of gut 

 (see Fig. 11). Gut is sold ready made up into 1yd., 2yd., 

 or 3yd. lengths, or in hanks of a hundred pieces, which 

 require tying together. 



As to whether gut should be stained or not, there is a 

 difference of opinion among anglers; but I never yet heard 



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Fig. 11. HooK-LiNK Looped to Gut- length. 



anyone deny that gut which has to lie on the bottom — as in 

 leger fishing — should be stained to as nearly as possible 

 match the gravel or sand. Gut which does not lie on the 

 bottom should, I think, be stained to harmonise and appear 

 a part of the river vegetation — green in summer, brown in 

 autumn and winter. Judson's dyes, used strong, are most 

 useful for staining gut. More simple stains are ink, strong 

 coffee lees, and strong green tea. I need hardly indicate 

 the colours which they give to the gut. Ink gives a neutral 

 tint, which is useful for gut used in fly-fishing. Ink and 

 coffee mixed make a muddy stain, admirable for gut which 

 has to lie on a muddy bottom. To preserve gut, keep it out 

 of the light, wrapped in wash-leather or a sheet of pure 

 indiarubber. Gut should always be soaked in cold water 

 before being used. One of the best methods of attaching 



