54 



thread, and four fine white hairs; and the third 

 twist must consist of one fine black hair, of 

 two light-brown hairs, of one white hair, and 

 of one fine white silk thread. This is the com- 

 position of the reel-end of the line. The end 

 next the water must also be composed of three 

 principal twists ; of one white thread of silk, 

 and one brown hair ; of a second twist made of 

 one black hair, and one white thread of silk ; 

 of a third, consisting of one light-brown hair, 

 and one white silk thread. Such a line will be 

 delicately taper, and its colour will be a sort 

 of pepper-and-salt, with a light-brown sandy 

 shade in it.* We recommend this line to 

 ladies and youthful beginners. 



Both those lines can be had at the fishing- 

 tackle shops, and are the very best that can be 

 used. The two next best are, first, a pale-green 

 line of three chief twists, each twist to be 

 composed of four white hairs, and one light- 

 green silk thread; second, a pale-blue of the 

 same number of twists, each twist one white 

 hair, and one thread of light-blue silk. The 

 line to be less bulky towards the water- end. 

 There are hundreds of reel-lines made and 



* " As to the colour of your line, you must be determined 

 by that of the river in which you fish ; but I have generally 

 found, that a line of the colour of pepper-and-salt, which 

 is made by mixing a black hair among the white ones in 

 twisting, will suit any water." Angler's Museum. 



