SPINNING TACKLE MAKING. 315 



In flight-making an arrangement has first to be 

 decided upon, and the materials procured ; this 

 settled, the hooks are to be lashed in the positions 

 needed, to work out the pattern selected. A pike 

 flight is the best to commence upon, the coarser 

 materials are the more readily united. In wrapping 

 gimp it is often advisable to unwind the end of the 

 gimp for a distance equal to one-half of the hook's 

 shank, as this ensures a desirable taper. In wrapping 

 on a triangle or treble hook, the same thing is needful 

 to aid in security, the flossed end of the gimp being 

 in this case brought tightly round the back of one 

 of the hook's bend, and is then lashed alongside with 

 the wired portion of the gimp. A precaution advis- 

 able in the case of large fish is, to wind a strand of 

 the fine wire taken from the gimp over the silk 

 wrapping, this protects the latter in a measure from 

 the raking jaws of the fish. 



For trout spinning traces fine flat tinsel, gilt or 

 silver, answers the same end, whilst it adds to the 

 attraction of the bait it adorns. A flight of hooks 

 protected thus will wear a much greater length 

 of time than a non-protected one ; varnish, of 

 course, is added, to give finish and solidity to the 

 whole. 



Barrel and dropper leads are moulded in metal 



moulds made for the purpose ; but, from lead wire 

 of the requisite thickness both may be fashioned. 

 For the first- named the wire, after being cut the 

 length required, needs tapering towards each 

 extremity, which done, it may be partially split 



