VARIETIES OF TROUT-GUT 



greater will be the chance of sport, especially in 

 clear, low water. 



There are two kinds of fine trout-gut viz., 

 1 natural ' and ' drawn/ the latter so-called because, 

 in order to fine it, it is drawn through a gauge. 

 Such gut as this does very well for a time, and 

 with small fish ; but it will not answer where the 

 fish are large and in good condition. ' Drawn ' 

 gut can be easily obtained from almost any tackle- 

 maker ; but good, long, c natural ' gut is extremely 

 difficult to procure, save at the very best shops, 

 and at a high price certainly not less than 73. 6d. 

 a hundred strands ; and even at that price it 

 cannot always be relied on, and it will be found 

 that the strands differ very materially in sub- 

 stance, even if they are all equally good and 

 sound throughout their length. 



Mr. Ramsbottom, in Manchester, is perhaps the 

 principal gut-importer in England, and he sends a 

 list to his customers annually of the gut he has 

 purchased. Seasons vary very considerably as 

 regards the quality of the gut imported. 



As my readers are doubtless aware, it is 

 procured from silkworms, which latter are soaked 

 in vinegar (I think), and then pulled apart, the 

 gut thus obtained being allowed to dry. Thus 

 each strand of gut represents the inside of a 

 silkworm ; nor can it be wondered at that gut is 

 a somewhat expensive article when good. 



