114 CATCHING THE WILY SEA-TROUT 



knot would not slip. I also drew his attention to the 

 fact that, with this attachment, the strain on the loop 

 was evenly distributed. 



Although most anglers have their pet theories for 

 tying knots, there are certain standard forms of knots 



" FIGURE OF EIGHT " KNOT 



which will respectively serve most purposes. These 

 knots which need no skill in tying should be included in 

 the curriculum of every angler. If your memory cannot 

 always be relied upon, make a rough drawing of the 

 knots on a postcard which, for ready reference, should be 

 carried in the fishing bag. 



When experimenting with new knots, or when in- 

 structing a novice in knot tying, I resort to pieces of 

 string, or an ordinary door key and a piece of string. 



" COMMON BEND " KNOT 



With these large scale implements the manipulation of a 

 knot can be more easily followed than when the finger 

 and thumb obscure a small hook and fine gut. 



For attaching the line to a cast I prefer the " figure of 



