THETARPON 59 



The best is none too good. In steady fishing it should 

 be reversed on the reel and examined carefully for 

 flaws. The line is the most vulnerable part of the 

 tackle. 



I wrote to several manufacturers of linen lines to 

 ascertain how to care for a line after its use in salt 

 water. In the opinion of one the line should be rinsed 

 in fresh water each day after use and then dried in a 

 large coil around some article where metal will not 

 come in contact with it. Another suggested a more 

 elaborate plan. He advised that the line be taken off 

 the reel and rinsed in fresh water. An extra twist 

 should then be put into it by rolling it between the 

 hands whilst the line is wet. It should then be dried 

 out and stretched. The line should not be kept in too 

 dry a place and before it is again used it should be 

 wetted. He concludes by saying: 



"The idea of putting an extra twist into the 

 line while it is wet is to get kink into the fiber, for 

 then if it is kept from drying out too much before 

 using it will stay in fairly good condition. Care 

 must be taken not to leave any moisture in the line 

 as it mildews and this rots the line very fast." 

 The third manufacturer made no suggestion worth 

 quoting, except to urge the use of a swivel so as to 

 preserve the normal twist in the line. 



Mr. F. Gray Griswold is an angler of great experi- 

 ence and ripe judgment. He writes me that a line 

 should never be dried in sun or wind for this induces 

 rot. He never dries his salt water lines during a trip, 

 but simply runs them off the reel after the day's fish- 



