CONCLUDING REMARKS. 451 



fully dried a fifty-cent handkerchief for fear it would mil- 

 dew, while he left a three-dollar line, wet, on a twenty- 

 dollar reel and a thirty-dollar rod, standing in the corner 

 all night, because he was "going a-fishing again in the 

 morning." 



The line should be thoroughly tested at the beginning 

 of the season, during its whole length; and, if not found 

 fully up to the standard, should be discarded. It should 

 also be tested, occasionally, during the season ; in fact, the 

 better way is to test it always before using it. A line that 

 will sustain a dead weight of two pounds is strong enough, 

 if used with a pliant rod, and no other should be used 

 for Black Bass angling. By examining and testing the 

 line, always, before using it, it may save much morti- 

 fication, and many a fish. Though you can not loose a 

 fish by the breaking of the line for, as Father Izaak 

 says, "no man can lose what he never had" you can 

 lose your temper under such trying circumstances, which 

 is worse. 



It would be useless to give any directions for water- 

 proofing lines, for it is a very difficult thing to do well; 

 and, moreover, prepared lines are now so cheaply and" well 

 made, that it will pay the angler to buy them, if he wants 

 waterproof lines. If a line loses its color or tint, it can 

 be soaked in strong green tea, or a weak solution of indigo, 

 to be afterward well dried. To take the kink so far as it 

 can be done out of laid or twisted lines, let them out their 

 full length, and draw them loosely through the water, with- 

 out hook or sinker, from the stern of a boat as it is rowed 

 along; to be then stretched and dried. Never use a reel- 

 line with a knot in it ; better, by far, make some boy happy 

 by giving it to him to catch Perch and "Sunnies." 



