THE REEL, LINE AND FLIES 4<5 



fine caliber gut near the fly assists in floating 

 it. Better, straighter casting can be done when 

 a tapered leader is used. 



The proper length of leader varies with the 

 immediate angling conditions. Under no 

 circumstances, for practical fishing, should the 

 leader exceed the rod in length this entirely 

 in the opinion of the writer, although con- 

 curred in by many other anglers. Under rough 

 weather conditions a short leader works best. 

 For long, fine casting a nine-foot leader should 

 be used. For average dry-fly fishing on the 

 general run of American trout streams, I be- 

 lieve a seven-foot leader to be the most prac- 

 tical and efficient. 



As regards the color of leaders, the fact that 

 any advantage is gained by the use of vari- 

 ously stained gut (with a view to making the 

 leader invisible) has never teen conclusively 

 proved natural or mist-color leaders answer 

 every purpose. 



For attaching eyed-hooks to the leader or 

 snell there are several different knots; one of 

 the best of these, and the simplest, is shown in 

 Fig. I. The gut must be rendered perfectly 

 pliable by soaking in water before tying on 

 the fly. Pass the end of the gut through the 

 eye of the hook, bend it back and make a slip- 



