SALMON FLIES, KNOTS, AXIOMS, ETC. 307 



gut than a flexible eye. The inflexible character of the 

 metal eye lends no assistance to the gripping nature 

 of the end of the gut cast. 



The knot which I advocate for the small trout 

 fly is not a safe one for larger hooks, for the single 

 turn through the metal eye of the salmon fly subjects 

 the gut at the bend to much too severe and abrupt a 

 strain. Another disadvantage of this knot when used 

 for a salmon fly is that some portion of the end of the 

 gut point has to be sacrificed, i.e., cut off, when the fly 

 is changed. 



The most simple method of fastening gut to gut 

 is that shown in Diagram 7, but the most reliable 

 one is that which should be used when making up a 

 gut cast. It is formed in a somewhat similar manner 

 to the blood knot made by sailors, formerly used in 

 the cat of nine tails, but is made with two ends 

 instead of one, as follows: 



1. Place the two strands of gut together, end to end, but 

 over-lapping a few inches, then twist the ends round one 

 another six complete turns. 



2. Divide these turns in the centre by the pricker of your 

 knife. 



3. Bring each end back and pass them in opposite 

 directions through the opening made by the pricker. (See 

 Plate XXXV., Figure 4). 



4. Take the other parts of the gut between the smaller 

 fingers of the two hands, and, gently pulling on them, work 

 the turns closely together with the fingers and thumbs (see 

 Figure 5). 



5. Draw this knot quite tight (see Figure 6). 



6. Cut off the short ends close to the knot. 



The gut should always be well soaked before this knot is 

 tied. 



