go ELEMENTS OF ANGLING. 



in fig. 4, plate I.) is used for joining the end fly to the 

 cast, and equally for joining a point to the cast, or 

 for repairing a cast which has broken. There 

 are other knots which serve the same purpose, but 

 none are so simple and easily tied as this, and none 

 are more effective. 



When the two lengths of gut are in the position 

 shown, the knot is pulled tight, and the short ends 

 are cut off with scissors close to the knot. I have 

 never known one of these knots "give" if it has 

 been pulled properly tight. The knot in fig. 5 is used 

 for attaching the other flies to the cast " droppers" 

 they are called. The first dropper is put on about 

 2ft. or 2jft. from the end fly, and the second 

 dropper a similar distance higher up. The knot 

 shown should be tied just above a knot of the 

 cast, so that it cannot slip down when a fish is 

 hooked. It is pulled tight and the loose end is cut 

 off just as in the other case. The length of gut 

 between the cast and the fly (the " dropper link ") 

 ought not, I think, to be more than 3in. I used to 

 have 5in. and even more, but I found that the fly 

 link got entangled with the cast, and even tied 

 itself into knots which I had not superintended. 

 Therefore I shortened it by degrees until I now 

 have about 2jiii. for the first dropper and 3in. for 

 the second. This saves many tangles and much 



