388 THE PRACTICAL FISHERMAN. 



tear is great, and the bait chiefly hides the coarser connection between 

 rod and hook. 



When whipping treble hooks on gimp it is desirable to draw some of 

 the wire off the enwrapped silk, and after wetting the silk thus laid bare 

 with the wax solntion, to fold it round and in the crevices of the hooks 

 where they are brazed together. 



When whipping gut to triplets it is advisable to just singe the end of 

 the gut in a candle flame. This forms a knot at its end, and so very 

 effectually prevents slipping or drawing. 



Notwithstanding all these precautions, however, it sometimes happens 

 that old hooks will draw from the gut shrinking, the cohesion between 

 it and the binding being thus destroyed. It is advisable, therefore, 

 in every case to first soak the articles in a little milk -warm water 

 before testing them. A little deer suet or boiled oil may be smeared 

 over hooks and swivels not required for constant use, and especially 

 ought this precaution against rust to be taken when the angler is, 

 perchance, putting his tackle away for the season. 



