LET US GO AFIELD 



straightened out after use, and hung up by the tip 

 during the winter months. This latter is a trick 

 which adds years to any rod's life and tons to its 

 energy. 



The bait caster's line is rather a delicate affair. 

 It is never of enameled silk, of course, and equally 

 of course it is never of linen. It will not do for a 

 trolling line because it will kink. It is made of raw 

 silk, hard-braided. In tournament work it is so 

 small that its breaking strain may be as low as five 

 pounds. What is called heavy bass size runs as high 

 as seventeen pounds breaking strain. The average 

 line for good bass fishing will be around ten or 

 twelve pounds breaking strain. That leaves it rather 

 thin, and as it is not waterproof it will rot very 

 quickly unless one is careful to dry it whenever 

 possible. 



The line should never be left on the reel over 

 night. It once took a pretty good casting line to 

 stand even two or three days' fishing, although these 

 lines are made much better now than they were 

 twenty years ago. The greatest wear on a line 

 and the continuous passing through the guides 

 exacts a certain amount of wear no matter how per- 

 fect everything is will be on that portion close to 

 the hook. Here is where the strain of casting is most 

 felt. Therefore, when reeling in your fish, remem- 



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