SILK-WORM GUT. 279 



KNOTS. 



In angling, as in sailing, there is no accomplishment so 

 necessary, or that proclaims the finished angler or sailor 

 so well, as his ability to tie a good knot. The beginner 

 should study the plate of "knots" thoroughly, and by 

 practice learn to tie each and all of them readily and prop- 

 erly. I have seen otherwise good anglers who could not 

 tie a correct or graceful knot, and the knife was always 

 brought into requisition to "untie" their clumsy efforts; 

 in this way their lines become shorter daily, and " beauti- 

 fully less." 



There is always a right way and a wrong way to do 

 every thing; and though a knot may seem an unimportant 

 thing, it is really often a most vital one, many times caus- 

 ing the angler to lose a good fish, and might result in the 

 loss of his life to the sailor. The new hand will please 

 remember that whatever is worth doing at all, is worth 

 doing well. 



Fig. 1 is the " common " knot for forming a loop at the 

 end of a line, or snell. It has its uses. 



Fig. 2 is the best knot for tying such a loop ; it looks a 

 little intricate, but can be learned by practice, and once 

 learned, will be a " well-spring of pleasure." 



Fig. 3 is a good and simple method of attaching the 

 reel-line to the loop of the leader, or snell. It is the 

 " tiller-hitch," or " helm-knot," so-called because it can be 

 instantly cast off by a jerk on the end ; being thus the 

 safest hitch for the main-sheet in sailing. 



Fig. 4 is a more secure knot for attaching the end of 

 the line to loop of leader, or snell ; it makes a small and 

 neat knot, and is easily untied. It is the " becket-hitch," 



