26 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
plait; and for colour the pale green tint which is now 
very properly preferred to the yellow, as showing less in 
the water. A heavy line will impair the “play” of the 
bait at any considerable distance. 
REEL LINES FOR FLY-FISHING. 
During the last few years it has become a not uncom- 
mon custom amongst fly-fishers to use for the fly the 
same 8-plait dressed silk line just described as most 
suitable for trolling purposes ; and in windy weather the 
extra weight of such a line as compared with its bulk is 
an unquestionable advantage. Perhaps, however, the 
dressed line has made most converts owing to the 
equally unquestionable shortcomings of the mixed silk 
and hair line which was commonly the alternative. 
Nothing can well be worse than this line. It is expen- 
sive; wears out quickly; is never really’ strong even 
when new; “kinks” on the slightest provocation, and, 
owing to the protrusion of numberless points of hair, has 
a special inaptitude for running freely through rod-rings. 
For these reasons no one who values pocket or comfort 
should use a silk and hair line, whether twisted or 
plaited. Until recently I have myself for some years 
used the dressed silk line, and found it at least strong 
and smooth-running—two great advantages, it must be 
admitted,—but during the past twelvemonth a new de- 
scription of line made of spun cotton has been sent to 
me for trial, which whilst inexpensive as compared with 
