302 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



and hold them in that position a moment for the wax to 

 stiffen a little. I now wind this string around them for 

 about half their length to hold them in position, and they 

 are ready to wrap with silk. Having waxed my silk well 

 with the cobbler's wax, I wind it on, as you see, as tight- 

 ly as the strength of the silk will well bear, being care- 

 ful that each turn shall lie close beside its predecessor. 

 I have wound up to the string, which may now be re- 

 moved since the wrappings already on will steady the 

 splice ; and now I have wrapped the splice its whole 

 length, and it only remains to fasten the winding, and 

 we are through. Watch me closely. You will notice 

 I cut the silk so I have about a foot of end. I hold 

 the windings already made in place with my left thumb, 

 pass the end of the silk downward between me and the 

 rod, under it, upward on the other side, and then over 

 the rod. Thus I make a large open loop, within which I 

 take three or four turns of the end around the rod, and 

 running towards the completed winding that I am hold- 

 ing with my left thumb. To these two points I wish 

 particularly to call your attention, since if you make no 

 mistake here you will have no difficulty in mastering 

 this knot. I then finish thus, and cut off the end as close 

 as I can. You see it requires close inspection to discover 

 how the silk is fastened, so neat is the finish. This is 

 one of the most valuable acquisitions an angler can 

 make, for without this knot I could not have securely 

 repaired your rod. As soon as you conveniently can, 

 cover the winding with two or three coats of shellac, or 

 better still some oil varnish, if you can wait for it to dry, 

 and your rod will, if you meet with no further accident, 

 last for years. Now put it together and try it. How 

 does it feel ? 



