260 



SILKWORM GUT, KNOTS, LOOPS, &.C 



The loop knot is a very easy way of tying a line or piece of 

 gut to a loop, and is made thus. 



A facile mode of fastening gut together, is the loop hitch, but 

 observe that the ends must be whipped down with silk. The 

 gut in this case is not knotted, and when close together and 

 properly fastened, it forms one of the smallest and most simple 

 ties ever invented. The celebrated Theophilus South in his 

 fly-fisher's text book, recommends it above all others. 



Leaders or Bottom Lengths. These useful articles of tackle 

 need a more precise explanation than that given in former 

 pages. They are made of lengths of silkworm gut, tied to- 

 gether as before described in lengths single, double, or twisted, 

 of from one to four yards. When employed for trout they are 

 invariably used singly ; their position on the tackle is after 

 your swivel or sinker, or if in fly-fishing, tied immediately to 

 your line. The usual way of making them is with a loop at 

 each end. 



To fasten your leader to your other tackle pass the loop of 

 your leader through the loop of your line, sinker, or swivel, 

 whichever you be using, so that it will draw down as in the 

 last mentioned cut above, and it will be firmly secured. When 

 through your sport back out your leader and separate it from 

 your line, and dispose of it in your tackle book. When fishing 

 for salmon, basse, or other large fish, use your leader long or 

 short according to your depth of water, single, double, or 



