124 FISHING TACKLE 



When the frayed ends of the line are covered, 

 lay a loop of thread along the line, wind over 

 loop a half-dozen turns, then pull end of silk 

 under and wind the opposite end in the same 

 fashion. Roll the finished splice under a ruler, 

 to make it smooth, and apply two coats of 

 shellac. A splice of this sort will last a long 

 time if shellacked when it shows signs of wear. 

 It is smooth, and with practice you will be able 

 to make it almost as small as the line itself. 



In casting a spliced line will last a long 

 time if you do not strip in line while the rod 

 is held upright. Always keep the rod down in 

 stripping. Otherwise the waterproof dressing 

 will be damaged at the rod top every time 

 the line is pulled sharply enough to bend it at 

 an angle. 



If you find that the taper of your spliced 

 line is not what it should be, in your opinion, 

 you can take the line apart and change it until 

 it suits you; or if the front end becomes worn, 

 discard a section and put in a new one, make 

 the taper longer or shorter, etc. Splices are 

 not difficult to make, but if you have a fly-tyer's 

 vise it is advisable to use it in holding the line. 

 Better winding will result. 



For splicing, and for all rod and tackle re- 

 pairs, a bit of wax is a necessity. It is easily 



