44 ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT. 



other kind. They are very strong, and are more 

 easily thrown than any kind of line, but, like all 

 lines made of silk, they will rot unless dried after 

 being wet. As to the length of line, the angler 

 should be guided entirely by the size of the river 

 he intends fishing in. For small streams, twenty 

 yards will be quite sufficient, but in first-class 

 rivers and lochs three times that quantity will be 

 necessary. 



After the ordinary winch-line, it is usual to have 

 a casting-line of horse-hair loosely twisted, or triple 

 gut. Some anglers prefer the hair because they 

 think it lighter, which, however, is a mistake, as 

 gut is stronger for its weight than any material the 

 angler can use, and is also heavier for its bulk, 

 which is a great assistance to casting. 



Gut. This article is made from the entrails of the 

 silk-worm before it casts its silk, and is principally 

 manufactured in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Sicily. 

 Of all the materials used by the angler, it is the one 

 which it is most difficult to procure good, and which 

 it is most necessary should be so. For angling in 

 clear water, inhabited by cunning cautious trout, 

 fine thin gut is absolutely necessary for success, and we 

 think that anglers in Scotland are in general not 

 sufficiently aware of the importance of fine gut. An 

 immense quantity is imported annually, put up in 

 hanks of about a hundred threads each. So far as 

 we can judge, a good deal appears to be spoilt in the 

 manufacture. As it is made at present, nine hanks 



