74 WEIGHT OF FISH IN WATER. 



Herb. Then why not have the reel-line equally 

 thin? 



Theoph. Because if that be less than of a 

 certain thickness, according to the strength and 

 power of the rod, it would be impossible to throw 

 it well; and, secondly, because it is absolutely 

 necessary that the whole should taper, to a cer- 

 tain degree, like a coach whip. It is not strength 

 alone that requires a red-line to be of the usual 

 substance ; because, in reality, a good single 

 salmon gut-line will bear three-fifths of the weight, 

 which is much more than requisite. 1 estimate 

 that a stout reel-line will bear about twenty-five 

 pounds, and a stout piece of salmon-gut about 

 fifteen pounds. I say a great deal more than is 

 requisite now let me surprise you ; what weight 

 do you think a salmon of eighteen or twenty 

 pounds will pull in the water at the end of a line ? 

 You'll hardly credit that he pulls less than one 

 pound and a half; except in his rushes, which I 

 have no means of estimating. 



Herb. You astonish me. 



Theoph. I assure you that such is the fact. 

 One of course knows pretty well the force he 

 applies to the rod in holding a fisL Once, 

 after killing such a one as I have mentioned, 

 I tried that force by the " Sportsman's weighing 

 machine," and the result was as I mention. 

 Reflection upon it has taught me a great deal. 



