276 PLIES AND KNOTS. 



upper end of the casting line to attract their atten- 

 tion. 



Three flies are sufficient for trout fishing, and are 

 desirable, although frequently failing to hook the fish in 

 consequence of lying on or close to the leader. This is 

 in a measure prevented by short, stiff gut lengths, but 

 when the rises are mainly at the upper flies, many will 

 be missed. 



In this connection it may be well to mention that 

 coloring gut, especially for bright, transparent waters, is 

 an error ; remember the fish from below look at it 

 against the sky, and will see it the plainer the more 

 it is colored. The less distinguishable to the angler 

 the more apparent it is to them. This can be proved 

 without difficulty, by holding against the light two 

 strands, one plain and the other colored. For salmon, 

 it should, if single, be round and strong ; for trout, fine 

 and delicate. 



