92 ROD AND RIVER 



1 . Pass the gut through the eye from its under 



side. 



2. Make a simple loop with the end so passed 



through round the other part of the gut, 

 but leave the loop somewhat open. 



3. Draw the gut gently until this loop slides 



down towards the fly and has passed over 

 the head ; then pull it tight, and cut off 

 the spare end of gut. 



Nothing can be simpler, and this knot has the 

 advantage of being less liable to break or fray, 

 and it never comes undone, though, if it is desired 

 to untie it, a pin passed under any portion of the 

 knot and lifted up will at once detach the fly. 



A friend of mine, an excellent fisherman, is 

 very much opposed to the use of eyed hooks, 

 and will not use them, for he asserts that the old- 

 fashioned plan of tying the hooks on gut is more 

 killing. Certainly the ordinary hook is lighter, 

 and, as I say, falls more lightly than the eyed 

 hook. But, for all that, the advantages of the 

 latter are so great that I should be sorry to have 

 to return to the use of the former ; and I find 

 that when fish are rising, and it is possible to put 

 a fly of any kind over them, the eyed hooks 

 answer well enough. 



Trout-hooks run in regular sizes. These are 

 ooo, oo, o, i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ooo being the smallest. 

 Anything larger than No. 6 is unnecessary. 



