36 BT HOOK AND BT CROOK. 



They are supplied by Slater of Newark-on-Trent, the 

 patentee, and by most tackle-makers. They cast best 

 with a small lead. 



The Reel Line. — It is of the first importance that the 

 line be selected of the correct weight to suit the rod, as 

 upon this point the ability to cast a long straight line 

 mainly depends. Nothing is more unsatisfactory than 

 being obliged to cast with a line too heavy or too light 

 for the rod ; it is difficult to say which is the greater 

 evil. If the line be too heavy, a long cast, which is 

 occasionally necessary, is out of the question, if any 

 regard be held for the rod, as nothing strains it sooner; 

 and if it be too light the cast cannot be made without 

 flicking or jerking, and then the line seldom falls straight. 

 By a straight line we mean a cast that is made so 

 that the fly strikes the water at the desired spot with 

 a length of line as little as possible in excess of the 

 distance to be covered, of course taking into calcula- 

 tion the angle made by the rod and the surface of the 

 water. 



For Trout-fishing a silk and hair line plaited is per- 

 haps as good as anything, and if tapered for a 

 distance of about 15 yards to each end, so much 

 the better. Twisted lines kink. 



For very fine fishing a plaited hair-line is best, 



but in rough water a dressed silk line may be 



preferred. 



For Sea-troitt-fishinff an undressed or dressed silk line 



is the best. Most anglers will probably prefer the 



