THE PIKE. 37 



this dressing, but to make it doubly sure, I might say, that 

 my friend always got a quarter pint each of best linseed oil 

 and copal varnish, and two tablespoonfulls of best gold size> 

 mixing and stirring them well together before pouring over 

 the lines. This quantity being quite sufficient for two 

 eighty yard lengths. If the gold size cannot be procured, 

 it does not matter so much, but still we always fancied it 

 gave the line a more finished appearance ; and don't forget 

 the finishing touches with " King's Ceroleum " and flannel. 

 After this it should again be hung up for two or three days 

 before finally wound on the reel. I might add that the long 

 or short life of a pike line depends on more than a care^ 

 ful dressing, it should also be thoroughly dried after using, 

 and by having good steel snake rings and steel end rings on 

 the rod, also contribute to its long life. There are several 

 more ways of dressing a line, such as putting it in a mixture 

 of beeswax, resin, and boiled oil ; or melting a lump of solid 

 parrafin and dropping in the line ; but the first that I have 

 given at length will be found enough for all practical pur- 

 poses. Personally, as I generally throw direct from the 

 reel, in either spinning or livebaiting, I don't care much 

 about having a dressed line; but there is no question that 

 the great bulk of pike fishermen find a dressed line of the 

 very greatest convenience, particularly in casting out and 

 working a live bait. Once or twice during a busy season I 

 have rubbed my spinning line with a little bit of " King's 

 Ceroleum," and found it helped to preserve it, besides mak- 

 ing it stand the wear and tear of constantly running through 

 the rings of the rod somewhat better, and also preventing 

 it from getting quite so much waterlogged while in use. 

 This is the very outside that I care about, in the shape of 

 a waterproof or dressed line, and as this preparation is so 

 easy in its application, and can be put on so quickly, and 

 does not alter the softness and flexibility of the line, the 

 novice will find it to be to his advantage if he keeps a cake 

 of this dressing by him ; the cost is only sixpence, and I 

 think it is kept by most fishing tackle dealers, but if any 

 diiRculty is experienced in procuring it, a note to the in- 

 ventor, Mr. Wm. King, chemist, Ipswich, will, I make no 

 doubt, result in a satisfactory reply. I used to stretch my 



