143 



The detachable loop of the trace, whether 

 of gut or gimp, must be lapped close up to the 

 end, in the manner shown in the cut at A ; this 

 will not only make it stiff enough to be passed 

 through the bait's nose and lips thus dis- 

 pensing with a baiting needle but also forms 

 a better and neater fastening as regards 

 the hook-swivel. If any difficulty should 

 occur in making the pointed loop penetrate 

 the bait's nose, prick a hole in the latter first 

 with the point of the large tail-hook. 



The flight barring the omission of the 

 lip-hook is in all respects identical with that 

 already figured p. 135. The above method 

 adds greatly to the durability of the bait, as 

 well as to the general " fineness " of the tackle 

 at a critical point. (It maybe observed, par- 

 enthetically, that so far as any purposes of 

 hooking are concerned the lip-hook is practi- 

 cally useless no one can call it sightly.) 



STAINING GIMP. 



Yellow or silver gimp in its natural bright state fresh from the 

 tackle shops is sadly unsuited to " fine fishing," and, therefore, 

 to heavy baskets. To obviate this I tried various " stains," but 

 gave them up because I fancied they had a tendency to weaken if 

 not actually to rot the gimp, and of late years I use for the lead as 

 well as for the gimp simply a light coating of " Brunswick Black " 

 (to be obtained at any Ironmonger's) which can be put on at the 

 river-side, or five minutes before starting, for it is readily renewed 

 when it wears off, and tends to preserve rather than to destroy the 

 gimp. I carry in my trolling case a minute phial of Brunswick 

 Black, stopped with a cork holding a bit of feather. This supply 

 is ample for a week's campaign. 



