CH. I.] TRACE LENGTH FOR SERVICEABLE TYPE OF. 9 



line has done much work, to sacrifice some yards of 

 it, which can be more easily spared from a long 

 than a shorter line. When a favourite line has 

 thus become reduced to about sixty or seventy 

 yards, I generally lengthen the end next the reel 

 by splicing and carefully whipping on an additional 

 piece, by which means I still have my old line to 

 throw with, and plenty to fall back upon in case of 

 need. You may thus utilize an old line until the 

 knot comes within the cast. With great care, 

 indeed, the splice may be so nicely made as 

 scarcely to interrupt the passage of the line 

 through the rings, even in casting. 



As a length for the trace I have generally 

 found from six to seven feet quite sufficient. A 

 longer one is apt to get in the way; a shorter one 

 brings the line too near the hooks. As to its form, 

 I have come to the conclusion that the following 

 is, for general purposes, as serviceable and conve- 

 nient a type (admitting, of course, of variation 

 according to circumstances) as any that can be 

 adopted. Above the shot have three lengths of 

 gut (Fig. 3, A\ with a swivel between each, as also 

 a swivel and small loop between the lowermost 

 one and the shot. These should be perforate, and 

 made up, separate from the traces, in flights of (say) 



