Leaders. 105 



ing is a purely manual operation, the result of which is 

 influenced by anything which at the moment affects the 

 operator. It is also a domestic operation, carried on in 

 the homes of the peasantry, and subject to domestic in- 

 fluences. If the baby begins to squall, or the dog gets 

 after the cat at the critical moment, through the strand 

 then produced the effect of that local disturbance may 

 be transmitted to the American angler across the broad 

 Atlantic. Aside from this, the crop varies greatly in 

 quality from year to year. 



The following figures were obtained from a large 

 manufacturer, who assured me they fairly represented 

 the average of three seasons' crops, and the sorting and 

 classification of over two million strands of gut. 



Out of one hundred thousand strands of gut bought 

 at wholesale as of the same grade and quality, and run- 

 ning as even in these respects as is usual in the trade, 

 but one thousand strands rate first-class, three thousand 

 second-class, ten thousand third-class, twenty thousand 

 fourth - class, fifty thousand fifth - class, ten thousand 

 sixth-class, and six thousand will be waste. 



A reputable dealer will not willingly sell a fly-fisher- 

 man leaders of, or flies tied on, fifth or sixth class gut. 

 He knows they will not give satisfaction if used where 

 gut of that thickness is commonly used, and that he will 

 have to bear the blame and consequent loss of the future 

 custom of the purchaser and perhaps of his friends. 

 Experience and the traditions of his trade have taught 

 him that the fact that the purchaser would not pay for 

 a better quality, and is therefore really alone to blame, 

 will make no difference. Few blame themselves for 

 their folly when they can find elsewhere a scapegoat in- 

 capable of protest. 



