4/>6 PRELIMINARIES IN FLY-TYING. 



off, and is practically useless. In securing the gut line to 

 the reel line, it is usual to have a loop at the end of the 

 gut. The end of the reel line having merely a knot in it, 

 take the end of the reel line and pass it through the loop, 

 as shown in fig. 5, Plate III. p. 95. But if you wish to be 

 able to undo the line with ease and quickness when you 

 require to change or have finished fishing, then it is ad- 

 visable to use the slip knot shown in fig. 6, when by pull- 

 ing the loose end of the line smartly the hitch is released. 

 In making a loop in a gut line, I usually prefer the knotted 

 loop, as shown in fig. 6, to the whipped one, shown in 

 fig. 5. It is less conspicuous when properly made and 

 drawn close, and it is more secure, as loop whipping often 

 comes undone. Always tryall hooks and gut before using 

 them, as it is exceedingly vexatious to lose a good fish 

 for the want of this precaution. 



And now as to fly tying. 



The Trout Fly. Some persons trust entirely to their 

 tackle-makers for their flies, and will not go to the trouble 

 of tying, or learning to tie, their trout flies. I myself trust 

 to my tackle-maker for my general supply of flies, but 

 there are times when the capability of tying a fly will 

 secure one a good day's fishing, and when, but for the 

 power to do so, the angler might see fish rising but be 

 unable to bring them to hook. As it will often happen 

 that the angler will desire to tie a fly by the river side, it 

 will be well that he should learn to tie them by the use of 

 his fingers alone. It may be more difficult at first, but 

 the best tyers (professional tyers) very seldom use anything 

 else, and it is a mere matter of practice. Most amateurs, 

 however, prefer to use a vice to hold the hook, and the 

 vice for trout flies is a small brass table vice, and can, 

 with spring tweezers, also a common requisite, be bought 

 at most respectable tackle-makers. The only other im- 

 plements required are a neat sharp-pointed pair of scissors 



