GUT KNOTS, 47 
quite strong enough when obtained of the best quality, 
Between the top of the casting line and bottom of the reel- 
line, however, it will generally be found convenient—always 
in the case of salmon lines—to interpose a couple of feet or 
so of some thicker medium, and for this purpose twisted 
tapered gut ‘ points,’ as they are called, with the lengths neatly 
spliced (not knotted) together, can now be 
obtained. The old-fashioned ‘ points’ made 
in separate lengths, and joined with a huge 
unsightly knot, are distinctly objectionable. 
This twisted ‘intermediary’ materially 
increases, I think, the ease and nicety of 
the cast in the case of both trout and 
salmon lines. The thick end of the twisted 
point should be neatly lapped on to the end 
of the reel-line, and is most conveniently 
terminated by a knot, as smail as may be, 
which is attached to the loop of the gut 
casting line by a sort of modified ‘jam,’ 
readily admitting of detachment. For 
very light trout or grayling fishing, a few 
strands of stout salmon gut, tapered, may be 
substituted for the twisted point, the casting 
line being knotted on by the ordinary fisher- 
man’s knot, and cut apart at the end of the 
day, or—where an extra finely tapered reel- 
line is employed—both gut and twist may 
be dispensed with. FIG. 10, ATTACHMENT 
Staining —All sorts of stains are re- BETWEEN REEL-LINE 
corded by different authors and adopted “%? ccanueatmane 
by different fishermen according to individual taste and 
fancy. I used personally to fancy what is known as the 
red water stain for rivers where the water took a darkish 
or porter-coloured tint after a fresh, and for ‘white’ waters 
a light bluish or cloud colour. I am by no means clear, 
however, that in the case of the fly-fisher there is any sufficient 
