528 fHE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I* 



And for dying of your hairs: Do it thus: take a 

 pint of strong ale, half a pound of soot, and a little 



be very strong ; and, for the greater facility in throwing, should be 

 eighteen or twenty hairs at the top, and so diminishing insensibly to the 

 hook. There are lines now to be had, at the fishing-tackle shops, that 

 have no joints, but wove in one piece. 



But notwithstanding this, and other improvements, perhapi, some 

 may still choose to make their own lines. In which case, if they prefer 

 those twisted with the fingers, they need only observe the rules given by 

 the author for that purpose : But, for greater neatness and expedition, I 

 would recommend an engine lately invented, which is now to be had at 

 almost any fishing tackle shop in London t it consists of a large horizon- 

 tal wheel, and three very small ones, inclosed in a brass box about a 

 quarter of an inch thick, and two inches in diameter ; the axis of each of 

 the small wheels is continued through the under-side of the box, and i* 

 formed into a hook ; by means of a strong screw, it may be fixed in any 

 post or partition ; and is set in motion, by a small winch in the centre 

 of the box. 



To twist links with this engine : Take as many hairs as you intend 

 each shall consist of; and dividing them into three parts, tie each parcel 

 to a bit of fine twine, about six inches long, doubled, and put through 

 the aforesaid hooks ; then take a piece of lead, of .a conical figure, two 

 inches high, and two in diameter at the base, with a hook at the apex, or 



n' it; tie your three parcels of hair into one knot, and to this, by the- 

 k, hang the weight. 



Lastly, Take a quart, or larger, bottle-cork; and cut into the sides, at 

 equal distances, three grooves : and, placing it so as to receive each di- 

 vision of hair, begin to twist : you will find the link begin to twist with 

 great evenness at the lead ; as it grows tighter, shift the cork a little 

 Upwards; and when the whole is sufficiently twisted, take out the cork, 

 and tie the link into a knot; and so pioceed till you have twisted link* 

 sufficient for your line, observing to lessen the number of hairs in each 

 link in such proportion as that the line may be taper. See the engine, 

 Plate XII. Fig. 7. Fig. 8. is the form of the cork. 



When you use the fly, you will find it necessary to continue your line 

 to a greater degree of fineness : in order to which supposing the line to 

 be eight yards in length fasten a piece of three, or four, twisted links, 

 tapering till it becomes of the size of a fine grass; and to the end of this, 

 fix your hook-link, which should be either of very fine grass, or silk- worm 

 gut. A week's practice will enable a learner to throw one of these lines : 

 and he may lengthen it, by a yard at a time, at the greater end, till he 

 can throw fifteen yards neatly ; till when, he is. to reckon himself but a 

 novice. 



For the colour : You must be determined by that of the river you fish 

 in: but I have found that a Line of the colour of pepper and salt, when 

 mixed, will suit any water. 



Many inconveniencies attend the use of twisted [open] hairs for your 

 hook-line; see Part II. Chap. V. Silk-worm gut is both fine, and very 

 trong ; but then it is apt to fray, though this may, in some measure, be 

 prevented by waxing it well. 



Indian, or sea- grass, makes excellent hook lines; and .though some 

 bject to it, a being apt to grow brittle, and to kick ia using 



