234 Book of the Black Bass. 



eight pounds at the first trial, will not be likely to sustain 

 more than six pounds at the next, and still less at the third 

 trial. But if a low test is applied, as suggested, a good 

 leader will last until worn out, in actual fishing. There is 

 really no necessity for testing a first-class leader, for black 

 bass or trout fishing, when bought from a reputable maker. 



Snells, oe Snoods. 



For utility and convenience, hooks are tied on short 

 pieces of gut, gimp, or sea-grass, called snells, or snoods. 

 The best material for snells is silk-worm gut, as it is light, 

 strong, and nearly invisible. It may be stained of a simi- 

 lar color and in the same manner as the leader. 



The length of snells for black bass angling should be 

 from three to five "inches; and they should be composed of 

 single, heavy gut, though they may be made double if the 

 gut is very light or fine. 



Unless eyed hooks are used, the tapered shank hook 

 should be neatly and securely tied to the snell with waxed 

 silk and varnished, and a loop formed on the other end of 

 the snell for attaching to the reel line ; the end of the gut 

 should be softened and rendered pliable by soaking it in 

 water before tying the loop. 



For fishing in waters where pike, pickerel, or pike-perch 

 are numerous it may be advisable to substitute gimp of the 

 smallest caliber for the gut snell, as the long and sharp 

 teeth of those species would make short work of the deli- 

 cate gut fibre by fraying or cutting it. 



If eyed hooks are used the snell has simply a loop tied at 

 one end, leaving the other end to be affixed to the hook by 

 a jam, or other, knot. 



Most black bass flies are now made with a short loop, or 

 eye, of double gut, instead of being tied on snells of several 



