LINES. 51 



At the International Fisheries, 1883, some new 

 winch-fittings were exhibited, including the Weeger 

 fastening ; but since then this and others have 

 undergone considerable improvements, wherewith 

 almost any size of winch-plate can be quickly and 

 securely fixed to the fishing-rod. When the old- 

 fashioned sliding-rings were the only kind known, 

 unless the winch-plates fitted the slot, the winch 

 frequently dropped off, possibly at the critical time 

 of playing a fish, occasioning thereby entanglement 

 of the line. Such a miserable mishap cannot 

 possibly occur now, with the perfect fittings that 

 are supplied by the London and best provincial 

 tackle dealers. 



Pike-lines are made of various materials, in- 

 cluding cotton, flax and silk. Of the former, those 

 manufactured by the Manchester Cotton 

 Twine Spinning Corporation are fairly 

 good, being strong, although fine ; but they have 

 a defect, they are apt to kink when wetted, as 

 indeed do all lines that are spun and not plaited. 



Theaker, of Nottingham, manufactures very good 

 lines in various sizes, of which No. 3 and No. 4 are 

 possibly the best for pike-fishing. No better can 

 be obtained than the 8-plait waterproofed silk lines, 

 sold by respectable dealers in London and country. 

 A firm in Noble Street, E. C, has supplied me with 

 a plaited pure silk line made for medical purposes, 

 which I waterproof myself ; it is extremely strong, 

 but very fine, and wellnigh imperishable, if dried 

 after use, and occasionally re-dipped into water- 

 proofing, of which I give two or three receipts, and 

 the mode of applying them. I am using one of 

 these medical lines that I waterproofed six years 

 ago ; the worn and frayed ends I have broken off 



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