GUT KNOTS. 



47 



quite strong enough ^Yhen obtained of the best quality. 

 Between the top of the casting line and bottom of the reel- 

 line, however, it will generally be found convenient — always 

 in the case of salmon lines— to interpose a couple of feet or 

 so of some thicker medium, and for this purpose twisted 

 tapered gut ' points,' as they are called, with the lengths neatly 

 spliced (not knotted) together, can now be 

 obtained. The old-fashioned ' points ' made 

 in separate lengths, and joined with a huge 

 unsightly knot, are distinctly objectionable. 



This twisted 'intermediary' materially 

 increases, I think, the ease and nicety of 

 the cast in the case of both trout and 

 salmon lines. . The thick end of the twisted 

 point should be neatly lapped on to the end 

 of the reel-line, and is most conveniently 

 terminated by a knot, as small as may be, 

 which is attached to the loop of the gut 

 casting line by a sort of modified 'jam,' 

 readily admitting of detachment. For 

 very light trout or grayling fishing, a few 

 strands of stout salmon gut, tapered^ may be 

 substituted for the twisted point, the casting 

 line being knotted on by the ordinary fisher- 

 man's knot, and cut apart at the end of the 

 day, or — where an extra finely tapered reel- 

 line is employed— both gut and twist may 

 be dispensed with. 



Staining — All sorts of stains are re- 

 corded by different authors and adopted 

 by different fishermen according to individual taste and 

 fancy. I used personally to fancy what is known as the 

 red water stain for rivers where the water took a darkish 

 or porter-coloured tint after a fresh, and for ' white ' waters 

 a light bluish or cloud colour. I am by no means clear, 

 however, that in the case of the fly-fisher there is any sufficient 



FIG. lO. ATTACHMENT 

 BETWEEN REEL-LINE 

 AND CASTING LINE. 



