HOOKS, LINES AND LEADERS. 59 



trifle larger than the twisted linen lines of the same strength. 

 A soft undressed braided silk line about the same diameter 

 as a No. 9 twisted linen line will stand a strain of sixteen 

 pounds, and the linen line will stand eighteen. This size is 

 generally known as G, but different brands of line are num- 

 bered differently and you must know this before you order 

 a line of this kind. This, and the E size, which is larger, 

 are the sizes most used for bait-casting for black bass. 



The oiled silk lines are made for general all-around fish- 

 ing, but are not specially adapted for any particular use. 

 They make durable and useful lines for the average fisher- 



> ' E 

 " D 

 " C 



Sizes of Braided Enameled Silk Lines. 



man, as they can be used for fishing with worm, for bottom 

 fishing, trolling, etc. 



For fly casting there is only one kind and that is the 

 enameled silk line. Here is where quality counts and the 

 finest are none too good. These lines are covered with a 

 flexible enamel and not only covered but saturated with it as 

 well. It makes the lines very smooth and increases their 

 weight, both of which are desirable qualities for fly casting. 

 It must be stiff enough to run nicely through the guides 

 without drooping enough to bind, but must not by any means 

 be stiffer than this some of them are too stiff and none 

 are too pliable. The enamel must be of the best so that it 



