26 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



plait ; and for colour the pale green tint which is now 

 very properly preferred to the yellow, as showing less in 

 the water. A heavy line will impair the " play" of the 

 bait at any considerable distance. 



Reel Lines for Fly-fishing. 



During the last few years it has become a not uncom- 

 mon custom amongst fly-fishers to use for the fly the 

 same 8-plait dressed silk line just described as most 

 suitable for trolling purposes ; and in v/indy weather the 

 extra weight of such a line as compared with its bulk is 

 an unquestionable advantage. Perhaps, however, the 

 dressed line has made most converts owing to the 

 equally unquestionable shortcomings of the mixed silk 

 and hair line which was commonly the alternative. 

 Nothing can well be worse than this line. It is expen- 

 sive ; wears out quickly ; is never really strong even 

 when new ; " kinks" on the slightest provocation, and, 

 owing to the protrusion of numberless points of hair, has 

 a special inaptitude for running freely through rod-rings. 

 For these reasons no one who values pocket or comfort 

 should use a silk and hair line, whether twisted or 

 plaited. Until recently I have myself for some years 

 used the dressed silk line, and found it at least strong 

 and smooth-running — two great advantages, it must be 

 admitted, — but during the past twelvemonth a new de- 

 scription of line made of spun cotton has been sent to 

 me for trial, which whilst inexpensive as compared with 



