TAPERED LINES. 297 



various casts being made without the chance of disappointment 

 arising. 



It may be useful to note that these lines can be bought at the 

 tackle shops dressed or undressed, but I shall deal with that matter 

 presently. 



At this point I would mention that, from time to time, I have put 

 both round and square lines under severe critical test and after full con- 

 sideration finally decide in favour of the former. But the latter sort are 

 not without their merits. For instance, they are solid from end to end 

 and so do not require quite the same amount of care in the out-door 

 principle of dressing. On the other hand, the second process in that 

 system, viz., that of polishing when applied to their less regular surface 

 quickly loses its effect, and this will be found to be so until the line has 

 had considerable wear and tear. 



Tapered lines are better for making all casts except the " Flip " and 

 the "Governor," and perhaps the "Spey" with the Spey rod. The 

 tapered ends measure ten feet, six inches, and the whole line itself measures 

 forty-two yards. These measurements were fixed for particular reasons 

 and by no means in a haphazard or arbitrary manner ; the size of 

 the winch, distance and cleanness in casting by all the methods, having 

 been studiously consulted. 



The entire length of my own tackle runs into one hundred and fifty 

 yards. But seeing the whole in the parts is not seeing the parts in the 

 whole. Many would object to using a line so thin at the back end ; but 

 when this part is brought into use, Trout tackle would be equally effective. 

 Seen in the parts " idling " at home, my tackle would not please one in 

 ten, seen in the whole, " busy " at work, every member of the fraternity 

 would " see well," and instinctively feel not only the necessity for the 

 qualities which have been assigned to the casting line, but also the 

 desirability of trimming the winch under the following system, by which 

 arrangement I have saved more than one Salmon in my time. 



The casting line is " married " to about seventy yards of A'o. 3 or E 

 of the " Standard Waterproof Braided silk line " (Allcock & Co.), the 

 remaining portion consists of the same standard article No. 1 or F, which 

 is, one degree less in size. By the same process (marriage) two and a 



