THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 147 



elastic, and light, it is uneven and rough in make, and 

 does not run nicely through the rings. A great improvement 

 on this line is having it mixed with silk, forming the silk and 

 hair line. This is still a favourite with many anglers, and 

 has had a long run as the principal reel line for all purposes 

 of fishing, especially as a trout line. It alights very nicely 

 on the water, is elastic, has a good natural spring with it, 

 and floats well. It requires to be carefully dried after use, 

 and will, if attended to in this respect, last many seasons. 

 To dry a line properly, the portion that has been in contact 

 with the water should be loosely wound off the reel and 

 allowed to lie on a table or dry floor in loose coils ; or it 

 may be passed round the backs of two chairs, or stretched 

 across a room, so that the air may get freely at it for a night 

 at least, when it should be re- wound on the reel again. 

 A properly-constructed line drier (q*v.) can be procured 

 from any good tackle maker. Silk lines, either twisted, 

 plaited, or braided, are now much used, and supersede all 

 other lines for fine fishing. They are dressed with water- 

 proof varnish or coating, which gives them an even and 

 smooth surface, so that they handle well and run easily 

 through the rings. The varnish should be perfectly hard 

 and dry before using, and care should be taken that it is 

 good, as some bad varnishes have a tendency to rot the 

 silk ; others wear off after being a few times in the water. 

 However, most tackle makers give a guarantee with their 

 lines, and it is as well for the angler to have this when 

 purchasing. The braided lines are now brought to great 

 perfection, and as they can be tapered better than the 

 other sorts they will probably take the lead. Silk lines cast 

 well against the wind, and if got straight out on the water 

 are quicker to strike with than any of the others. These 



