FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT 95 



price. There are two waste ends that are wrapped 

 in red cotton yarn, and these must be cut off. 

 Then immerse the strands in lukewarm soft water, 

 and let it stand till cold. If the gut be allowed to 

 soak all night, so much the better. In the morn- 

 ing proceed to make your leader, selecting only 

 the round and even strands. You can easily see if 

 they are round by twisting them, each end in a 

 different direction, between finger and thumb. If 

 flat, the gut will resemble a screw in appearance, 

 because of the twisted flat edges. If round, no 



fig. 46. — Loop for End of Snett or Leader. 



such appearance will show itself. It is well to 

 pick out the round and clear strands, and place 

 them in another receptacle. There are sure to be 

 a few flat strands that can be laid aside to come in 

 at some time when a short piece of indifferent gut 

 will serve some odd purpose. 



Assuming that you are ready to begin, — take 

 the first strand and tie a loop (Fig. 46). This is 

 the easiest of all the loops, though I am not quite 

 sure that it is the best absolutely. However, I 



