FOREST AND STREAM 
575 
20s 
179 
188 
142 
972 
837 
Averages 194=71% 
With the same loading 
Charge 36grs. S.D., 
1 oz., No. 5 shot. 
Left Barrel. 
155 
159 
167 
67=61% 
and No. 5 shot: 
Charge 38grs. S.D., 
1 oz.. No. 5 shot. 
Left Barrel. 
169 
177 
155 
173 
844 
855 
Averages 168=77% 171=78% 
This truly remarkable shooting serves to illustrate 
the fact that large shot pellets possess a power of cohe¬ 
sion largely in excess of that displayed by smaller shot 
sizes. 
With regard to 20-bores, “F.G.,” of Orleton, states in 
last week’s Shooting Times that he has bought a gun 
of this calibre, which bears stamped on the barrels the 
words: “Nitro-proofed for Vi oz. of shot.” These 
words imply that the gun has been suitably proved for 
use with a service charge of shot of the weight indi¬ 
cated. “F.G.” further enquired if 56 oz. of shot and 
27 grains of Smokeless Diamond powder can be loaded 
in 2{4-inch cases, and to this query, also, an affirmative 
reply may be given. It is suggested that this load 
might be “a 3-inch case load,” but that is not so. for, 
as said, the 2)4 inch will hold it, while into a 254-inch 
case 1 oz. of shot may be loaded with a full powder 
charge. 
My thanks are due to Mr. Henry Russell for his 
kindly remarks respecting the information I have been 
able to give re the shooting made by 20-bores. I am 
hoping to supplement this information, for I am now 
carrying out similar tests with 16-bores, and when 
these are completed it will afford me much pleasure to 
oresent them to my fellow readers of The Shooting 
Times in some form or other. 
Bluffing the Magistrate. 
The way that magistrates are sometimes “bluffed” is 
very amusing. Here is an instance, says Shooting 
Times: A farm laborer was summoned before a Sussex 
Bench for carrying a gun without a license. A clever 
solicitor appeared for defendant, who pleaded “Not 
guilty.” A police-sergeant deposed that at 4.20 p. m. 
he was cycling along a road when he saw defendant 
carrying a gun on the highway. When asked if he had 
a license, defendant replied, “No; I have not. My 
master gave me permission to carry a gun to shoots 
the rooks.” The clever solicitor submitted that the 
police had given no proof that defendant had no li¬ 
cense, and, assuming that he did not have one, it was 
an exceedingly trivial case. As a farmer, defendant’s 
master had a perfect right to use a gun without a li¬ 
cense to scare rooks, and surely it was hardly an 
offense for the servant to use the gun for the same pur¬ 
pose. The Bench dismissed the summons on the 
ground that there was no proof that defendant did not 
have a license. The Bench refused to allow the police 
to proceed with a summons against a man for aiding 
and abetting the defendant in the last case. The 
magistrates were simply bluffed. It was necessary for 
the defendant to produce his license when called upon 
to do so. Secondly, if the defendant’s master was not 
the holder of a license, then the defendant had no 
right to be scaring birds. Lastly, it would be rather 
risky of a master to carry a gun without a license on 
the plea of “scaring” birds. “Scaring” birds must not 
be interpreted as killing them, and even an occupier 
carrying a gun, without a license, to scare birds would 
by most magistrates be looked upon with suspicion. 
TIPS FOR SPORTSMEN. 
By Richard Clapham. 
Hair v. Gut for Trouting. 
Hair and gut are materials which the fly-fisher can 
ill do without, and, though the former is by no means 
as fashionable as the latter, it is, under certain condi¬ 
tions, to be preferred. South-country anglers pin their 
faith to gut, while the wet-fly performers in the North 
cherish a cast of good hair quite as much as their ances¬ 
tors did before them. The preference for hair or gut 
is chiefly a matter of environment, and thus we find it 
a case of “What is one man’s meat is another man’s 
poison.” Since there is a good deal to be said on 
both sides of the question, it may be of use to devote 
a little time to a discussion of the merits and demerits 
of the two materials. 
Beginning with hair, we find it is far more durable 
than gut, and it possesses a considerable amount of 
elasticity. It may be immersed in water for an in¬ 
definite period without in the least injuring its use¬ 
fulness; and it does not fray when in contact with 
stones, sticks, etc., in the stream. Even when thoroughly 
soaked it possesses a certain amount of “life,” in con¬ 
sequence of which it seldom gets badly tangled up, and 
even when it does “hang up” it is a simple matter to 
straighten it out again by a little judicious shaking. 
Perhaps the main advantage of hair lies in the fact 
that dropper flies dressed on it are unlikely to get 
caught up in the main cast. Hair never becomes limp, 
like gut; and for this reason dropper stand well clear 
of the main line. 
While we must agree that the qualities enumerated 
above are desirable in a cast, there are certain disadvan¬ 
tages which must not be overlooked. Elasticity is by 
no means to be despised under certain conditions, but 
we find that once hair has been stretched to its utmost 
it becomes so brittle as to be utterly useless. A hair 
cast cannot be driven so far as one composed of tapered 
gut, either in a wind or a dead calm. Even the best of 
hair is greatly inferior to good gut in the matter of 
strength, and the latter is a very important quality in 
a cast, when heavy fish cannot be allowed to have their 
own way. 
Glancing back oyer the above remarks, we find that 
the disadvantages in the use of gut lie in its lack of 
strength and liability to stretch too far when unduly 
taxed. Did it possess the strength of good gut, it 
would at once endear itself to all discriminating anglers. 
Even though it cannot be cast as far as gut, we would 
gladly use it, if it would withstand sufficient strain 
to enable one to hold a fish in heavy water, or snub 
him tightly when he makes a dive for the shelter of 
roots or weeds. 
Turning from hair to gut, we find the latter can be 
obtained quite strong enough for any trout in Great 
Britain. Drawn gut has a decided tendency to become 
frayed after contact with stones, etc., and the minute 
particles partially detached from it hold air bubbles 
which cause the cast to become more visible in the 
water. 
When thoroughly soaked, gut becomes “dead,” and 
for this reason is liable to get into a bit of a “mess” 
when it becomes at all entangled. With care, however, 
it is surprising "how infrequently one does get cast and 
flies entangled, even when fishing wooded streams 
where “elbow-room” is circumscribed. 
It is an advantage at times to throw a long line, and 
here again a well-tapered gut cast scores over hair; but 
the competent angler will never be found following the 
maxim “fine and far off” when he can possibly adopt 
that of “fine and as near as you can.” The shorter 
your line, the quicker and more complete is your con¬ 
trol of a fish when he rises and sucks in the fly. 
Gut is infinitely preferable to hair on the dry-fly 
streams or other waters where trout run large; but on 
streams of the North-country type—especially on the 
shallow upper reaches—where trout run medium and 
small, hair forms a most satisfactory and pleasant cast 
to use. It is, of course, possible to kill big trout on 
good hair, but it usually means that you have to .make 
good use of your legs in following the fish, and thereby 
lose valuable time. The latter commodity is valuable 
when trout are rising freely, and unless you practise 
economy in this respect your basket will not weigh so 
heavily at the conclusion of the day as it ought. 
Although drawn gut is liable to fray, the “finest un¬ 
drawn” will not do so. It is smooth, round, and more 
or less invisible in water, but is at the same time hor¬ 
ribly expensive. Expense, however, within reasonable 
limits, should not deter the angler from investing in 
reliable and serviceable material. The best is the cheap¬ 
est in the long-run, and when one looks back on past 
seasons it is surprising to find how few casts have in 
reality been required. Good gut will last a long time 
with care, especially if kept in a cover of chamois 
leather, which seems to thoroughly protect it. 
I find I have forgotten to mention one other advan¬ 
tage connected with hair, and that is, it can be tied 
much easier than gut, and will hold even if fastened 
when dry. Those who use the fisherman’s knot and 
insert the droppers between the knots can draw these 
knots apart without fraying, as usually happens when 
using gut. 
I think hair is less visible—or, at any rate, seems to 
cause trout less alarm—in clear, still water, than gut; 
but, despite its sundry very apparent advantages, 1 
must say I pin my faith to good gut for all-round fly¬ 
fishing, mainly on account of its strength, and the re¬ 
sultant saving of time in netting fish when they are 
rising freely. 
For small-stream fishing, or on the upper reaches of 
larger rivers, hair does very well indeed, and for night¬ 
fishing, when “tangles” are apt to be frequent, hair is 
apt to cause less unparliamentary language when 
straightening out the “mess.” 
Dropper flies to gut should be kept as short as pos¬ 
sible; there is then less liability of their catching on 
the cast. 
As to the size of trout that one can safely take on 
hair—that is, without losing undue time in landing the 
captive—it appears to depend upon the temperament of 
the angler. Where one man will easily land a heavy 
fish on fine tackle, another will be smashed at the first 
run. Roughly speaking, trout from 54 lb. up to 1 lb. 
are quite heavy enough to tackle with a hair cast, and 
for anything heavier I think the average angler would 
feel much safer with good gut.—British Sportsman. 
New York Athletic Club. 
More and more members of each year take advan¬ 
tage of the opportunities for trap-shooting, and it is 
expected that this will be the biggest in the club’s 
history. 
In place of the usual committee having charge of 
this department, the Athletic Committee has decided 
to put the management up to one man, and have ap¬ 
pointed Governor George J. Corbett as Commissioner. 
The shooting house has been considerably enlarged 
and ample accommodations provided for all members 
wishing to enroll for this healthful and interesting 
sport. 
The season’s program will be as follows: 
Program for “Club Days.” 
Saturdays and holidays commencing at 2 p. m. (Sub¬ 
ject to change by order of the Captain.) 
Single Targets. 
First event, trap No. 1, 25 birds handicap, monthly 
cup. 
Second event, trap No. 2, 25 birds handicap, club cup. 
Third event, trap No. 1, 25 birds handicap, accumula¬ 
tion cup. 
Fourth event, trap No. 2, 25 birds handicap, Travers 
Island trophy. 
The above 100 birds will be known as the “Regular 
Program” for each shooting day, and on this event 
will be figured the daily “high scratch” and “high 
handicap” guns, and the “season high scratch and 
handicap” averages. 
Distance Handicap. 
Trap No. 2, 23 birds handicap, 16 to 21 yards. Variety 
cup. 
Trap No. 1, 10 targets 16 yards rise, gun below the 
elbow, Olympic style; 10 freak targets, 20 yards rise, 
unknown angles and traps; 5 double targets, 16 yards 
rise. 
The 'trap shooting season for 1914-1915 will open on 
October 31, 1914, and close with the “Club Champion¬ 
ship” on May 15, 1915. On Saturday, October 31, 1914, 
no regular events will be held, but a 100 birds special 
event will be held for which suitable scratch and 
handicap trophies will be offered and special handicaps 
allowed. The regular events will close on May 8, 1913, 
when all ties will be decided. Saturdays and holidays 
throughout the season will be known as “club days.” 
Shooting will commence at 2 p. m. sharp on each 
day. Squads will be made up by lot, positioning 
drawn for at 1 :so p. m. each day. Those arriving late 
will be squaded in the order of their arrival. 
No shooting up allowed after the first squad has 
started on its third string of 25 birds. 
All claims of “error in scoring” must be made be¬ 
fore shooter in question has fired at his second next 
bird. 
A shooter will be allowed to ask trap under the fol¬ 
lowing conditions, but at no other time: First, when 
two or more birds are sprung at the same time. Sec¬ 
ond, when a broken bird is thrown. Third, when, after 
the call of “pull,” no target appears. 
Handicaps. 
All handicaps will be allotted by the captain and are 
subject to change at any time. 
Handicaps will be cut one target for each win and 
raised one target each time a scratch shooter wins. 
However, a class A shooter will be limited to two 
birds handicap. A class B shooter will be limited to 
four birds handicap. A class C shooter will be limited 
to six birds handicap. These classes will be arranged 
by the captain and posted in the shooting house on the 
first day of each month. 
The captain reserves the right of refusing to handi¬ 
cap a shooter until he has fired at 50 birds. 
Targets one cent each. 
TROPHIES. 
Club Championships. 
Saturday, May 15, 1915, at 2 p. m., 200 birds scratch, 
3 prizes. 
High Average for Season Scratch and Handicap. 
Three prizes for high scratch average. 
Three prizes for high handicap average. 
The averages in the “high average for the season 
(scratch)” and “high average for the season (handicap)” 
events will be computed front the scores made in the 
“regular program” each day during the season. Fifteen 
shoots to qualify, but the averages will be figured on 
the total shooting. In case of a tie, in either event, 
the same will be decided on the first 150 birds of the 
club championship on May 15, 1915- Should such a tie 
occur in the “handicap event,” the handicaps for the 
shoot off will be those with which the shooters finished 
the season. 
High Score Trophy, 100 Birds, Scratch. 
A trophy will be awarded to the shooter making the 
highest scratch score in the “regular program” on any 
“Club day” during the season. In case of a tie, this 
event will be decided by a shoot off at 25 birds. 
Long Run Cup. 
A trophy will be offered for the longest straight run 
in the “regular program” of any “Club day” shooting. 
But it is understood that an unfinished run cannot be 
continued on the next day’s shooting. In case of a tie, 
this event will be decided “miss and out.” 
Monthly Cup. 
Twenty-five birds handicap, each “Club day.” Most 
number ’ of “legs” during the month, to win. It is 
necessary to shoot twice for this cup in order to qual¬ 
ify, and a shooter gaining permanent possession of any 
OFFICE EQUIPMENT versus SPORTING EQUIPMENT 
Did you select your Office Equipment with 'the same thought and careful 
comparison that you did your personal sporting equipment? 
Did you give half as much real honest thought to the Typewriter now in 
your office as you did to your Gun and Fishing Tackle? 
The Typewriter has made possible the enormous business development of 
this country. Is it not, then, worth your -most careful and hones: consid¬ 
eration ? 
You would not think of allowing your office help to select a ten dollar 
fishing reel for you nor to dictate the kind of sight you used on your gun— 
and yet the most important piece of your office equipment may have been 
seleoted without having had your personal attention. 
Let us send you a Fox Typewriter for trial. If we do not have a repre¬ 
sentative in your locality we will give you the benefit of the dealers price. 
Send for catalog and mention Forest and Stream. 
FOX TYPEWRITER COMPANY FROM forest and stream for September. 
Name . 
2809-2859 Front Ave., Grand Rapids, Mich. Address 
