228 THL COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I. 



this is most visible in a seven-hair line, one of those which 

 hath always a black hair in the middle. ' 



(1) Your liar, whether it be a running-Hoe, or for float-fishing, had best be 

 of hair; unless you fish for Barbel, and then it must be of strong tilk. And 

 the latter (the line for float-fishing) must be proportioned to the general size of 

 the fish you expect; always temembering that the single hair is to ba preferred 

 for Roach or Dace-fishing. But the fly-line is to be very stiong; aud, for the 

 greater facility in throwing, should be eighteen or twenty hairs ut the top, and 

 so diminishing insensibly to the hook. There are lines now to be had at the 

 fishing-tackle shops that have no joints, but wove in one piece. 



But notwithstanding this aud other improvement), perhaps some may still 

 choose to mke their own Hues. lu which case, if they prefer those twisted 

 with the finger*, they need oaly observe the rules given by the author for that 

 purpose. But, for greater neatness and expedition, I would recommend an 

 engine lately invented, which is now to be had at almost any fishing-tackle 

 shop in London : it consists of a large horizontal wheel and three very small 

 one*, inclosed in a brass box about a quarter of an inch thick, aud two inches 

 in diameter; the axis of each of the small wheels is continued through the un- 

 der-sivla of the box, and is formed into a hook ; by means of a strong screw it 

 may be fixed in any post or partition, and is set in motion by a small wiuch in 

 the centre of the box. 



To twist links with this engine, take as many hairs as you intend each shall 

 consist of, and, dividing them into three parts, tie each parcel to a bit of fine 

 twine, about six inches long, doubled, and put through the aforesaid hooks; 

 then take a piece of lead, of conical figure, two inches high, and two in diame- 

 ter at the base, with a hook at the apex or point; tie your three parcels of hair 

 into one knot, and to this, by the hook, hang the weight. 



Lattlv, Utk* jw***, *r lrgr, hotttc-coih , ami cut into the sides, at equal 



distance* three grooves ; and placing it so as to receive each divisiou of hair, 

 begin to twist : you will find the link begin to twist with great evenness at the 

 lead ; as it eiows tighter, shift the cork a little upwards ; and when the whole 

 is sufficiently twisted, take out the cork, and tie the link into a knot; and so 

 proceed till you have twisted links sufficient for your line, observing to lessen 

 the number of hairs in each link in such proportion as that the line may be 



When yon use the fly, yon will find it necessary to continue your line to a 

 greater degree of fineness: in order to which, supposing the line to be eight 

 yards in length, fasten a piece of three or four twisted links, tapering till it 

 tftozx* of the sice of a fine grass; and to the end of this fix your hook-link, 

 which should be either of very fine grass, or silk-worm gut. A week's practice 

 will enable a learner to throw one of these lines ; and he may lengthen it, by a 

 yard at a time, at the greater end, till he can throw fifteen yards neatly, till when 

 he is to reckon himself bnt a novice. 



For the colonr, you must be determined by that of the river you fish in : but 

 I have found that a line of the colour of pepper and salt, when mixed, will suit 

 any water. 



Many inconveniences attend the use of twisted (open) hairs for your hook- 

 line : see Part II. Chap. V. Silk-worm gut is both fine and very strong; bat 

 then it is apt to fray ; though thzsfmay, in some measure, be prevented by wax- 

 ing it well. 



Indian, or sea-grass, makes excellent hook lines ; and though some object to 

 it, as being apt to grow brittle, and to kink in using, with proper management 



