98 THE TARPON 



as you retrieve it. Then if a proper fastening is used you will 

 enjoy nearly its full strength. The thumb pad should also be 

 wetted. 



Mr. H. Barron made an interesting contribution to the 

 Field d Stream, of January 1931, on the weakening effect of 

 knots in lines. He selected an 18 pound Wexford line, which 

 had a breaking test of twenty pounds. The Scott testing ma- 

 chine showed the following results : 



Bowline 



Jam or slip knot 



Fisherman's bend 



Timber hitch 



Overhand or ordinary knot 



Double overhand with bight 

 I requested Mr. W. E. Mather, M. E. of Cleveland, who is 

 experienced in such matters to test an Ashaway Joe Jeffer- 

 son No. 24-thread line on a line testing machine. A series of 

 tests indicated that the strength of the line was somewhat un- 

 even. A wet line guaranteed up to 72 pounds may test 76 

 pounds. It may break at slightly less than its guaranteed 

 strength. I give the results in the following table : 



Line (wet) tested 73 lbs. 



Line (dry) '* 64 '' 



LINE FAILED AT 



Leader secured to line by leather thong 73 lbs. 



" '' " " bait casters' knot.... 72" 



" '' " bowline 59" 



" " " anglers' knot 



(McCarthy) 55" 



" " " anglers' knot 



(straight pull) 50" 



Loop tied by rolling hitch 68 " 



In another test a wet 24-thread line broke at 64 pounds 

 and when dry at 58 pounds. The same line carrying an over- 



