FINE AND STRONG TACKLE. 273 



half of the same double and treble cable laid (z.. 

 twisted like the cable of a ship, which method ensures 

 greater permanency in water), or plaited in taper 

 form to serve as connecting foot line, between the 

 reel line and gut lash. Round and sound single 

 salmon gut, new and strong, we believe to be tran- 

 scendently superior to anything hitherto discovered 

 or applied to the piscatory purpose. Long and 

 careful experimental experience upon well-fished 

 waters under conditions as far removed from those 

 described by the eminent votary of modern science, 

 Sir H. Davy, in his Salmonidce, as can be well 

 imagined has led to this conclusion ; indeed, as 

 with other and less important styles of angling, so 

 with salmon fishing, needlessly strong tackle is open 

 to deprecatory attack. It is unworthy the accom- 

 plished fisherman, and will with time be regarded 

 with increasing discredit. For, though the advance 

 achieved in the manipulation and skill in the use 

 of salmon tackle has not for the latter half century 

 been significant, still its scope has been such as to 

 inspire what may be termed the more scientific 

 portion of the angling fraternity with bright hopes 

 for the ultimate progress in refinement and utility 

 of the implements employed by them, a progress 

 which is assuredly already inaugurating. As anglers 

 multiply, the laws of merit will assert their exacting 

 influence gradually and surely, the force and com- 

 bination of circumstances and changed conditions 

 of sport will increasingly deter the habitually or 

 preferentially indifferent angler from consummating 

 T 



