THETARPON 99 



hand knot broke at only 32 pounds. It parted at a bowline 

 knot at 33 pounds. 



The use of the leather thong did not weaken the line ; nor 

 did the bait casters ' knot. In these cases the line did not 

 break at the attachments. In the Mather tests the bowline 

 weakened the line about 20% and the two anglers' knots still 

 more. The use of the thong at the swivel is illustrated else- 

 where and the bait casters ' knot is easily tied, as follows : 



Pass the line twice through the swivel ring and then coil 

 the end or running part evenly over the standing part of the 

 line about ten times ; tuck the end under a few of the coils and 

 finish off with a few half hitches. Any knot which is used 

 should be retied on fresh line at frequent intervals as it grad- 

 ually weakens where it is tied. 



I call attention to the illustration of the rolling hitch to be 

 employed if the line is doubled for a distance back from the 

 leader. This hitch must be accurately applied to be effective. 

 The end should be neatly served by a winding and the hitch 

 will not slip. Tests indicate that the use of this method does 

 not weaken the line to exceed 5 per cent. 



I was advised by the Ashaway Line & Twine Company that 

 "Blood, fish slime, rust, dirt, weeds and grasses left 

 on the line will ruin it quickly. An extra worthwhile cau- 

 tion is remembering to dry any line in the shade after fish- 

 ing. This prevents mildew and rot." 



One year I was fishing with a new 24-thread line of ap- 

 proved manufacture. It broke four times during two weeks of 

 service for reasons entirely unrelated to its strength or qual- 

 ity. Twice it chafed off under the keels of boats as the fish 

 ran. Once it was cut by the rocks on the bottom, and once it 

 parted at the knot tied to the swivel on the leader. It is ap- 

 parent that luck plays a large part in the tackle's efficiency and 

 service. I have had a jumping fish tie an ordinary overhand 

 knot in a steel leader. If it had failed for this reason, it would 

 have been charged with lack of quality. 



