HOOKS. 387 



shown in Fig. 11, from bend to shank. The right and proper way, 

 however, to whip a single hook for ordinary barbel fishing, for example, 



FIG. 11. SINGLB HOOK TYING. FIG. 12. FINISH-OFF 



OF WHIPPING. 



is to commence at the end of the shank and work up towards the bend, 

 fastening off as shown in Fig. 12. Before attempting to fasten off, it is 

 advisable to apply a little of the tallow or deer suet aforesaid, that the 

 thread may be drawn easily and tightly through the coils as represented, 

 without danger of breaking the thread by reason of Jits sticking. 



The next process is to coat the binding with a waterproof varnish, 

 but this should not be done until the wax on the silk has hardened. 

 When the operator judges that the wax has become sufficiently set, either 

 of the recipes given in Chapter EX. may be brought into requisition. 

 The varnish should be laid on not too thickly, and twice if necessary, and 

 be placed in a warm situation to dry. Give it also time to thoroughly 

 harden before using, and it will last as long as the gut does to which it 

 is applied. 



The amateur cannot too often practise binding his own hooks until he 

 arrives at rapidity and neatness. A good whipper of hooks needs hardly 

 look at his work as it proceeds under his nimble fingers. If a sort of 

 mechanical precision be once acquired in the operation, the art of fly- 

 making becomes easy of apprehension, if not of immediate practice. 

 Fly making is the " fine art " of tackle making. 



A very good plan in whipping hooks for ordinary bottom fishing is to 

 tie them on a loop of gut or silk line ; the superior pliability of the 

 consequent join or hinge made in attaching such a hook to the line 

 renders this method peculiarly applicable in cases where the wear and 



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