22 THE ENGLISH ANGLER h\ FLORWA iii 



the very largest fish. I used my Vom Hofe reels pretty hard, 

 and it is but fair to say that they never played me tricks, or 

 failed in the slightest degree at a pinch. The novice will 

 learn by experience how to avoid getting foul of the handle — 

 an accident that has been known to result in a" broken finger. 

 Tarpon reels vary in price, and they are made of a hard com- 

 position that renders the salt water harmless. Of course, with 

 the work they have to do, they are on the multiplying principle. 

 The best tarpon reel in the market, at the time of my visit, so 

 far as I saw, was that patented by Mr. Vom Hofe, and. it cost 

 about £7. I had two sets of tarpon tackle (besides a general 

 set), but most people take three. 



The English stranger never fails at first to express his 

 astonishment at the comparative fineness of the line, and its 



seeming soft texture. The Americans make very 

 The Line. 



good linen lines, however, and that for tarpon is 



excellent. Even the smallest-sized of the above-mentioned reels 



is made to carry 200 yards of the thread linen line. Lightness 



is therefore the primary essential aimed at, and however much 



at first you may be incredulous, you will at length admit that 



the end justifies the means. At the same time, my opinion is 



that these lines would be better if they were soaked in stearine. 



