SEA FISHING FROM SMALL BOATS 237 



ing. But, thinking the thing out, I came to the conclusion to 

 recommend for the methods described in this chapter only one, 

 which I firmly believe to be far and away the best. It is simply 

 an undressed twisted line made of pure silk. Twist is infinitely 

 stronger than plait, size for size, and silk is stronger and more 

 durable than any other known material ; so what can possibly 

 be better? 



Owing to the considerable friction between the line and the 

 rod fittings when heavy weights are used or a big fish is being 

 played, any dressing quickly wears off, so I never use one, and 

 do not recommend its use ; but there is no objection whatever 

 to barking the line in the same way as sails are barked. The 

 process, which is very simple and inexpensive, and quickly per- 

 formed, should increase durability. Of course the undressed 

 line takes up a good deal of wet, and when I have time I 

 usually vaseline the whole line, which helps to keep the salt 

 water out of it, though I am not quite sure that a line treated 

 in this way lasts so long as one which is simply washed in 

 fresh water after use and carefully dried. But the lines I have 

 in my mind are so cheap that it is folly to keep one until it 

 gets rotten. 



The following is a recipe recommended by Mr. Hearder, of 

 Plymouth, for barking (the term is now obviously a misnomer) 

 silk lines and nets : ^ Ib. catechu ; \ oz. sulphate of copper ; 

 one gallon of water. Boil together till the solids are dissolved, 

 remove the saucepan from the fire, put the line in the mixture 

 and leave it for twenty-four hours. At the end of that time 

 lift the line out of the liquid, wash it in fresh water, and dry 

 in air. 



The reel should be well but not over filled, and should hold 

 not fewer than seventy-five fathoms, or, in landsmen's language, 

 one hundred and fifty yards. Under special circumstances 

 even more line than this is required, especially in a strong 



