102 THE TARPON 



does SO, for any roughness would injure the quality of the 

 line. More than that, it would make the line uneven, caus- 

 ing it to wear at that spot when passing through the 

 guides of your rod. 



"If the imperfection is of such a nature that the thread 

 is weakened, the line maker cuts out the weak spot and 

 splices the ends together. If this were not done, your 12- 

 thread line might test to a full 24-pound breaking strength 

 at every inch of the line except this one place. Your line 

 might be but a 22-pound test line, for the whole line is no 

 stronger than its weakest point. 



"Splicing these fine linen threads by hand is an art re- 

 quiring the utmost experience and skill. When properly 

 done, as only an expert can do it, tests show that the 

 spliced section is actually stronger than the threads in 

 their original condition. It is this extraordinary skill that 

 enables our line makers to lay hand-made lines of any 

 length — the 500-yard lines such as Zane Grey and others 

 use to catch record fish. 



"When he arrives at the starting end again, each of the 

 three strands is cut and attached to a separate power- 

 driven spindle, the power is turned on and they are al- 

 lowed to twist until the 'feel' tells the line maker that 

 they have the right twist to give greatest strength. 



"When the three strands are lying side by side, twist- 

 ed, the line maker fits each into a small wooden holder 

 that he holds in the palm of his hand and again makes 

 the trip. The three strands twist together behind him. 

 Your line is made. 



"The line is then put through a tempering or hardening 

 process that welds the three strands of silky flax fibres in- 

 to a perfect whole, ready for polishing, and a final inspec- 

 tion as it is wound on the spool. ' ' 

 Leaders — In still fishing some anglers employ a rawhide 

 or moosehide snood, a heavy braided line, or a cod line as a 

 leader. Sharks are usually abundant in this mode of fishing 



