306 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



The loop in the end of your salmon gut cast should be 

 formed as follows. The gut is well soaked. It is then 

 doubled, being turned up for about three inches. A single 

 overhand knot is then made on the bight (Plate XXXIV., 

 Fig. 4) and drawn taut (Fig. 5). It is a good plan to hang 

 a weight of three pounds or so, for a couple of hours on to 

 the loop thus formed. It will draw the softened gut well 

 together, and the end can then be cut short off, or whipped 

 with fine waxed silk. 



If the end of your cast be single, then for a flexible eyed 

 fly no fastening is more effective than a single sheet bend, 

 with the end brought up round behind the gut, over the 

 eye, and down between the loop of the sheet bend. (See 

 Plate XXXV., Figs. 1, 2 and 3). 



Remember always that it is in the flexible eye of the fly, 

 and in the end of your cast, that the greatest play will occur, 

 and in which the greatest danger may be feared. 



A loop in the end of your cast, so long as it is carefully 

 tested each day, lessens some of the dangers, for it is 

 strengthened by being doubled, but it will then be the 

 flexible eye of the fly which will require the greatest attention, 

 that is if the fly be frequently used. 



It is for this reason that many fishermen prefer a metal 

 eyed fly ; no danger of deterioration occurs, and the metal 

 eye adds to the sinking qualities of the fly. If the steel eye 

 of the fly be sufficiently large and a loop be used on the end 

 of your cast, this can, when soft, be passed through the 

 eye and over the body of the fly, and then drawn taut just 

 below the eye. (See Plate XXXIV., Figs. 6 and 7). 



To avoid danger see that both the end of your cast and the 

 flexible eye of your fly are softened and pliable before at- 

 taching them to one another. 



A metal-eyed salmon fly, unless it is properly shaped, 

 has a greater tendency to weaken or break the end of your 



