TACKLE AND FISHING GEAR. 43 



double, instead of two single, half-hitches ; the end, that is, with 

 which each half-knot is tied is passed twice instead of once 

 round the central link and through the loop in the manner 

 shown in the engraving. The increase in the size of the knot with 



FIG. 3. 



very fine gut is so small as not to be worth considering, whilst 

 the increase of strength obtained is of decided importance. 



In quitting the subject of gut knotting I will strongly 

 recommend all anglers, whether fly or float fishers, to positively 

 refuse to be supplied by the tackle-makers with any casting 

 lines or traces in which the knots are lapped, except in the 

 case of the salmon lines in the manner above described. 



Twisting. For the lower parts of casting lines of all kinds 

 single gut is the only material that I ever think cf employing, 

 and I find it amply strong enough, when obtained of the best 

 quality, for every practical purpose. As regards the upper 

 part of the casting line ; however say two or three feet it 

 will be found convenient, especially in the case of salmon lines, 

 to interpose some thicker medium between the reel line and 

 the single gut bottom, and, for this purpose, gut, twisted in the 

 way I will describe, is in every respect the best. The ordinary 

 twisted gut, as sold in the tackle shops that is, in lengths of 

 about one foot each, and joined with a huge unsightly knot 

 were always such an eyesore to me that I was induced to take 

 some little trouble in providing myself with a more workman- 

 like substitute. 



My plan is as follows : 



I take two tapered casting lines of the thickness and length 

 required and knot them together at the two thickest ends. I 

 then bend the lines, a few inches away from this junction, over 

 a hook fixed into the table, window sash, or what not, but so 

 that when the two ends of the double cast thus formed are laid 



