REPAIRS, KNOTS, LOOPS, AND RECEIPTS. 409 



Gangs. — The subjoined cut represents a gang of hooks ; it 

 is much used by those who troll the lakes of northern New 

 York, and, as the reader will see, is readily made. In putting 

 on the bait the single hook at the top of the gang is passed 

 through the lips of the minnow or shiner ; one of the pair in 

 the middle, through the body just below the back fin ; and 

 one of those at the end of the gang through the minnow just 

 above the tail. The gang should be shorter, or longer, and 

 the hooks larger or smaller, as the case may be, to suit the 

 size of the minnow. I have drawn these hooks too small 

 with the exception of the top hook ; they should be twice the 

 size represented. 



Gut should be soaked in hot water for at least ten minutes 

 to insure a compact, secure knot in tying leaders. If on the 

 stream, the ends may be held in the mouth a few minutes to 

 soften them. Any attempt to tie a knot in dry gut will cause 

 it to break, or fracture so as to endanger its strength. 



