The Outfit Leaders. 59 



leader which has been coiled up and allowed to dry, 

 without repeating the original test. The terminal three 

 or four feet of a leader I usually renew two or three 

 times before the leader is thrown aside; and always, after 

 such a renewal, I repeat the original test. Again, if I 

 entertain the slightest doubt of the integrity of a leader 

 during its use, I at once repeat the test. The claim that 

 I do not speak at random in this matter seems to me, 

 therefore, not unreasonable. I have yet to see or to hear 

 of any occurrence in the use of these leaders, which would 

 tend to cast the shadow of a doubt upon the propriety of 

 the test. 



But again, if the test impairs the strength of the gut to 

 an objectional degree, should not that fact appear in the 

 course of so long continued a practice ? Should not a 

 leader so tested show the impairment of its strength by 

 breaking again and again, each time with a diminished 

 strain? Such has not been the fact. In testing a leader 

 to eight pounds, it may break at three pounds on the 

 first trial, at six on the second, seven on the next, and so 

 on until a strain is reached within half a pound of which 

 the leader will thereafter break every time. This is its 

 ultimate strength. It may give way at half a pound or 

 so on either side of this, as it is broken again and again, 

 but the difference in amount is not material. 



I have dwelt at length on this because thoroughly im- 

 pressed with its great importance. Times will come in 

 the experience of every salmon-fisherman when he must 

 throw finesse to the winds, and make a direct issue be- 

 tween the strength of the fish and that of his tackle. 11 

 he has tested his leader he knows the extent of his re- 

 sources, and, if defeat is the result, that it was inevitable. 



