THE LINE 75 



green line in the weeds and a light colored one in the 

 clear waters of some spring-fed lakes. A conservative 

 middleground sort of line is the mettled black and 

 white or salt and pepper which becomes nearly gray 

 or neutral when wet you will find more good lines 

 of this color than any other. 



There is an intimate relationship between the rod and 

 line, and what we have said of the short rods and 

 heavy fishing and long rods and open water fishing ap- 

 plies to the line as well. In other words when you are 

 fishing open water and using a light rod and light lure 

 nothing equals a soft braid line testing ten or twelve 

 pounds or even less. For the more strenuous get- 

 him-into-the-boat-quick style of fishing or when using 

 heavy plugs a heavier hard braid line is more in keep- 

 ing with the fitness of things. 



As a general rule, casters expect too much of a line. 

 They fail to consider that it is nothing but fine silk 

 animal matter. The principal causes of deteriora- 

 tion are friction in casting, sand, rust, alkali, and other 

 chemicals in the water, mildew, and "sweat rot." 



The friction of continual casting is terrific friction 

 usually shows by a "fuzziness" or a frayed appearance 

 near the bait end or, in case of a square braid line, by 

 its "running flat." Agate guides and tip-top help 

 considerably in reducing friction. Naturally there is 

 more friction when using a heavy bait. 



Sand plays havoc with a silk line and should be 

 avoided as much as possible. Rust is death to silk 

 line, destroying it quickly wherever it comes in con- 



