63 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



of the compound leader from line to fly should be about 

 one foot less than the distance from the tip of the rod to 

 the reel. But if the gaffing is to proceed from the canoe, 

 so that the distance between the angler and the gaffer is 

 fixed and unchangeable, then this length should be ab- 

 breviated by eighteen inches or so, in order that the fish 

 may be more readily brought within reach. 



At the knots lies the weakest part of a leader, no matter 

 how flaccid the gut may be made by soaking before they 

 are tied. This results from that principle which we have 

 all seen applied by salesmen in retail-shops. He makes up 

 the goods sold into a package, binds it with twine, wraps 

 the twine in a peculiar way about his left hand, and with 

 a sharp jerk parts a cord with ease which could resist a 

 direct strain that would cut his fingers to the bone. He 

 makes one strand cut the other. Some of the leading 

 anglers of England recommend that the leader be built 

 up in the usual way with those sliding knots known as 

 "water-knots;" that the knots be brought together with- 

 in an eighth of an inch; and that then a whipping of silk 

 be placed between them to act as a cushion. As usual, 

 there are two sides to this question. After the applica- 

 tion of the silk the knots are undoubtedly at least as 

 strong as any other part of the leader. But the knots on 

 a leader are already sufficiently obtrusive, and this course 

 renders them even more so. But whether the verdict be 

 for or against this innovation, the plan of tying the lead- 

 er in the usual manner, and then whipping the project- 

 ing end of the knots down so that there is a whipping on 

 each side of the knots, — not between, — which one often 

 sees on salmon-leaders in this country, serves no useful 



