SILK-WORM GUT. 273 



hardens to some extent immediately on coming in contact with the 



air. 



LEADERS, OR CASTING LINES. 



The silk-worm gut imported into the United States, 

 and used for leaders and snells, is usually in short lengths 

 of from twelve to fifteen inches. In forming leaders, 

 these are knotted together to the desired length. There 

 are many grades of gut, and the angler will do well to 

 remember that the best is the cheapest. 



Black Bass leaders should be from six to nine feet long, 

 and composed of the best single Spanish silk- worm gut, 

 heavy and strong, hard and round. The gut lengths 

 should be perfectly clear and sound, quite smooth, and 

 without inequalities or rough places. The rod-end of the 

 leader should be composed of a large-sized gut, the next 

 length a trifle smaller, and so diminish by a gradual taper 

 to the fly-end. The several lengths should be neatly and 

 firmly knotted together by what is technically known as 

 the double water-knot. The ends should be cut off 

 closely; or, if the single water-knot is used, the ends 

 should be first wrapped with silk, waxed and varnished, 

 and then cut off neatly and closely. 



It should be remembered that it is necessary to soak 

 and soften the ends of the gut-lengths previous to tying. 

 The water-knot, if correctly tied, can be easily slipped 

 apart and the snell of a fly inserted, when it is to be se- 

 curely drawn together again, the snell having a knot tied 

 on the end to prevent its pulling out; but more of this 

 anon. 



Some leaders are now made with loops for attaching the 



