THE REEL, LINE AND FLIES 39 



stiff. On the other hand, if it is weak and un- 

 reliable, over-runs and back lashes will occur 

 constantly. 



Regarding the size, it should be noted that 

 the sizes designated in yards assigned to vari- 

 ous reels by the tackle dealers are based upon 

 the reel's capacity for holding very small cali- 

 ber line. If the reel is to hold without crowd- 

 ing thirty yards of size E double-tapered line 

 the side plates must have a diameter of about 

 two and three-quarters to three inches, de- 

 pending upon the make and style of the reel. 



The subject of the fly-casting line is worthy 

 of far more extended treatment than it can 

 possibly receive here it is doubtful if there 

 is any more interesting or vital question to the 

 fly-fisherman. Generally speaking, with the 

 right line all things are possible; but an un- 

 suitable line is capable of defeating the efforts 

 of the most expert fly-caster. In the selection 

 of the line there are two principal points to 

 be considered: The line must be of the right 

 material, and its weight or caliber must be 

 suited to the rod upon which it will be used. 



Lines for fly-casting are usually known as 

 " waterproof, enameled silk lines." This de- 

 scription hardly fits the vacuum-dressed line, of 

 which I shall speak in a later paragraph, but 



