CRABS. 



15 



be the result of its use. It is very seldom indeed that 

 a line is broken by a fish, unless from some flaw 

 or imperfection, the trace on which the hook is tied 

 being far more frequently the point of breakage. 

 Strong silk-worm gut, either single or twisted, is much 

 to be preferred to the hemp snoodings in common use 

 for all traces but those used in the taking of the very 

 largest descriptions of sea-fish. The round plait pre- 

 pared salmon line, sold by all fishing-tackle makers, 

 answers admirably for a general sea-line. The length 

 may be proportioned to the depth of the water it is 

 intended to fish, but about thirty yards is a convenient 

 quantity to deal ^vith. This should, for hand-line 



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fishing, be kept wound on a frame reel. One of these 

 is easily made as follows : — Two flat pieces of tough 

 strong wood, such as oak or ash, about a foot long, an 

 inch and a half wide, and a quarter of an inch thick, 

 are to be prepared ; at each end of these, at about two 



