LINES. 77 



is, without the silk line that runs upon the winch ; and 

 the angler should be provided with a tolerable stock of 

 lines, so that he may not be at a loss in case of acci- 

 dent. It is important, too, that each line should be 

 tried before it is placed in the case or pocket-book, in 

 order to save the loss of time or, perhaps, of a fish 

 that would be the consequence if it broke when in use, 

 if a hair line or worked badly, if a gut. A gut line 

 should be clear, round, and smooth, free from spots or 

 other blemishes, and of a wiry hardness. 



To try a hair line, the best way is to hold it tight be- 

 tween the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, and 

 draw it over the top of the forefinger of the left hand, 

 by which, and the thumb pressed upon it, the line should 

 be held with a tenacity that will produce a resistance 

 equal to that it must sustain when in use. Thus : 



The running line i. e., that which runs on the 

 winch should be made of plaited silk, which is not so 

 liable to curl up as what is called China twist. It 

 should be twenty-eight or thirty, or from that to forty, 

 yards in length. At the end there should be a loop, 

 about two inches in length, (so that the bait and float 

 may pass through, when necessary,) to fasten the 



