KNOTS FOR BIGGER HOOKS 127 



taut, the result of which is shown in Diagram 11, 

 Fig. 5, and is known to the sailor man as the "sheet 

 bend." This knot, in my opinion, is not a very 

 good one, more particularly for the wet fly fisher- 

 man, as a bubble of air is frequently retained by 

 the short end above the eye of the hook, which 

 gives an unnatural appearance to the fly or insect. 

 In addition to this, the end cannot be cut too close, 

 or it will slip through the eye of the hook ; and 



DIAGRAM 12. 

 Showing a method of using the overhand knot for large flies. 



another disadvantage is that the point of the gut 

 sticks out in an objectionable manner. When the 

 half-hitch, however, is used as described above, the 

 end of the gut can be cut close off. It lies more 

 nearly into the body, and does not hold the bubble of 

 air, but the greater care is necessary in putting it on, 

 and while it is by no means a bad knot, I think the 

 one I recommend much the better. 



For bigger hooks, as large as May-flies, this overhand 



