APPENDIX 1 

 PLUMB-LINE FISHING FOR CHAR 



A PLUMB-LINE, as its name implies, has a leaden 

 weight at the bottom. This weight, or plumb, is a 

 cone with an elliptical base, weighing from 

 a pound and a half to two pounds, and having 

 a " feather " or metal rudder to keep it from 

 twisting. An average plumb-line consists of 

 twenty-six yards of well-dressed stout line, to which are 

 lashed six droppers, or tail-lines. The top dropper is 

 about five yards from the top of the line, the others 

 following at intervals of four yards, while the bottom 

 dropper is about a yard from the plumb. The junction 

 of the droppers with the main line is effected by means 

 of "shackles." Shackles are made of stout brass wire 

 securely soldered. At either end of the shackle is an 

 eye or circle, the upper eye being about half an inch in 

 diameter, while the lower is barely an eighth of an inch. 

 These eyes are about an inch and a half from each other. 

 Round the upper eye is fastened an 8-link, to which the 

 main line is knotted and whipped to prevent chafing. 

 The next section of the line is similarly knotted and 

 whipped to the lower eye. 



It will thus be seen that the main line is in seven dis- 

 tinct pieces. One piece of five yards from the bell to the 

 first shackle ; five pieces of four yards ; and the odd 

 piece, of about a yard, from the bottom shackle to the 

 plumb. Round the straight portion of the shackle 

 another piece of wire is fixed, by means of an eye, at right 

 angles ; and to this, each separate tail-line is knotted 

 and whipped. The bottom dropper is four yards long 

 and the others are a yard longer in succession, thus 

 making the top one nine yards in length. Each dropper 



