REELS, LINES AND LEADERS 71 



become so old as to be the object of suspicion the 

 enamel will have worn down and the line become so 

 limp and flexible as not to work well on the rod 

 when you will discard it on general principles. This 

 is in the case 1 of a line originally of good quality and 

 subsequently well cared for. As above stated, a line, 

 according to size, will test from 22 to 28 pounds when 

 new. It should not be trusted when it fails to pull 

 half its original test. Sudden strains and hard pulls 

 on the line frequently happen from various causes 

 when fishing, and a break in the line generally means, 

 if nothing else, the loss of leader and flies. 



Enameled fly-lines need not be the object of so much 

 solicitation to the fly-caster as are the fine un-water- 

 proofed casting lines to the bait-caster. 

 But the enameled line should not be C !f r . e of 

 neglected or abused. It may be suffi- 

 ciently dried by running it through a cloth held in the 

 hand, and this will also tend to keep it straight and 

 free from tight coils caused by being wound upon the 

 reel, as a result of which the line will work better in 

 casting. If occasionally dressed with deer fat the line 

 will work better and last longer. For smoothing and 

 polishing enameled lines tournament casters use pow- 

 dered graphite. During the winter the line should 

 not be kept tightly coiled on the reel. 



Good quality level enameled lines cost about $1.75 

 for 25 yards size E. The cost varies slightly with 

 the different dealers and for the various sizes. An 



