SiLK-WoBM Gut. 235 



inches in length. This is much the best way. They can 

 be as easily looped on for stretchers, and by using separate 

 snells looped at each end, they can be as readily attached 

 for droppers. These separate snells should not be more 

 than three or four inches long; and when the fly is tied 

 directly to the snell, the latter should not exceed four 

 inches in length — three inches is really long enough. 

 Short snells or droppers will stand out better from the 

 leader than longer ones, and they fit the modern fly-books 

 much bettor. 



The "eye" or loop of the fly may be formed of the 

 smallest sized wire gimp, instead of gut, as it is stronger, 

 and cannot become chafed or frayed. It will, however, 

 increase the weight of the fly somewhat ; but this will be no 

 disadvantage in fly-fishing for black bass. 



Knots. 



In angling, as in sailing, there is no accomplishment so 

 necessary, or that proclaims the finished angler or sailor 

 so well, as his ability to tie a good knot. The beginner 

 should study the plate of " knots " thoroughly, and by 

 practice learn to tie each and all of them readily and prop- 

 erly. I have seen otherwise good anglers who could not 

 tie a correct or graceful knot, and the knife was always 

 brought into requisition to " untie " their clumsy efforts ; 

 in this way their lines became shorter daily, and " beauti- 

 fully less." 



There is always a right way and a wrong way to do 

 every thing ; and though a knot may seem an unimportant 

 thing, it is really often a most vital one, manj' times caus- 

 ing the angler to lose a good fish, and might result in the 

 loss of his life to the sailor. The new hand will please 

 remember that whatever is worth doing at all, is worth 

 doing well. 25 



