TROUT FISHING. 417 



l?rs are practical fly-fishers, and do not know the necessity, and will 

 not take the pains, of making a tapering line. 



" A casting-line will cost seventy-five cents at the tackle store ; made 

 at home, they cost about eighteen cents. It is important then, on the 

 score of economy, as well as success, that the angler should make his 

 own casting-line. 



"It is therefore important that the proper knots should be known 

 by name, and how to make them. 



" There are but three knots suitable for angling, to wit : the slip- 

 knot, described in the cut above, which is only fit for the insertion of 

 the drop-flies ; the water-knot, and the knot, or mode of finishing a 

 knot, which might be termed the ' finishing-knot.' 



" The slip-knot need not be described it is plain enough in the 

 drawing. 



" The water-knot is the most simple of all knots. It is the ''com- 

 mon knot,' passing or turning the ends to be united twice round each 

 other, and then pulling them together. It is only necessary to pass 

 them twice round ; it is enough, although some persons use three turns 

 It is the smallest knot by which gut can be united. When the knot 

 is pulled tight, then cut off the ends, leaving a little remaining for the 

 whipping or fastening. The projecting ends should then be fastened 

 with thin but strong silk, waxed with white wax. Every practical 

 angler knows how to finish off, or secure the end of the silk. The silk 

 is wound round the projecting and main gut, until within six or seven 

 turns or rounds of the end of the projecting bit of gut; then turn the 

 point of the silk towards the knot, and continue the winding around 

 the end of the silk which has been turned towards the knot, until the 

 winding is finished, then pull the end tight under the whipping, and 

 the fastening is secure and invisible." 



