INSTRUCTION FLY NO. 1. 



69 



projecting clear of the shank end (the amount may be judged from the 

 illustrations, but the smaller it is, in reason, the better), and holding hook 

 and gut firmly (gripping the sides, not top and bottom), whip the gut on 

 with regular, close turns of the silk tailwards, holding and working the 

 silk at the distance just now mentioned. In " whipping," employ all the 

 power you can without breaking the silk, and make use of the " CATCH " 

 two or three times, in order, as the work proceeds, to be able with the 

 right nails to press both sides of the gut into straightness with the hook 

 shank. Be careful in starting the turns to leave a full ~ inch of the shank 

 end for the purpose explained. When the gut is covered with these 

 turns, tie off with one half hitch, and cut off the silk. The point upon the 

 shank to which the silk binding should come will be seen from the 

 Analytical Diagram in Chapter II. The arrangement of the ends of the 

 gut "twist" should always be made so as to secure this relative propor- 

 tion in all sizes of hooks. In the size of hook we have selected for 

 instruction, this point on the shank is about I inch short of a straight 

 line drawn through the hook-point, and cutting the shank at right angles. 

 Without delay, whilst the gut is still soft, nip the loop. Holding the 

 hook now barb downwards, push the stiletto through the loop from under- 

 neath, far enough to form an eye of the required size ; then with the nails of 



NIPPING THE LOOP. 



the left hand "STOP" finger and thumb, nip the loop together at the neck. 

 If the gut does not readily yield to the correct shape, the pressure should be 

 maintained whilst the loop is moved to and fro by the stiletto within it. 



