GUT CASTING-LINES. 19 



stated. Treble gut lines are for the most part 

 twisted. I should' prefer them platted, for the 

 same reasons that I prefer platted winch-lines to 

 twisted ones. On the goodness of the gut depends 

 the goodness of the line. If each link and knot 

 be not honestly tested by the maker, the chances 

 are, the line will be an unsafe one. Too much 

 stress is laid on the importance of very thick and 

 round gut. If fresh, transparent, and flawless, 

 of course it is the best ; but I have seen flat gut 

 and thin gut stronger than thicker and rounder 

 links. I prefer quality to rotundity or stoutness 

 — tackle of fine and compact material, to that 

 which is massive and porous. I have had slender 

 grilse-lines with which I should not fear to lead 

 the " wickedest " salmon w^ithin reach of the gaff 

 or landing-net. Gut that has been long exposed 

 in shop windows should never be purchased, and 

 links that have light rusty-coloured spots on them 

 should be rejected. In making a casting-line, 

 the finest links should be those next the fly, and 

 the thickest next the rod. 



Both winch- and casting-lines soon rot if wound 

 or coiled up in a wet state. At the termination 

 of a day's fishing, all the wetted portions of lines 

 should be uncoiled, and exposed to desiccating^ 

 atmospheric, or other action. 



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