The Outfit^Lines. 51 



As to the kind of line to be used, an enamelled water- 

 proofed line is altogether to be preferred. But the best 

 is worth ten cents a yard, bringing the cost of a line of 

 one hundred and twenty yards up to the not inconsider- 

 able sum of twelve dollars. 



Many economize here by buying thirty or forty yards 

 of this line, and splicing to it a hundred yards of twisted 

 " Cuttyhunk" twelve-thread linen line. Until the angler 

 fastens a fish the water-proofed line alone is in use, so 

 that facility in casting the fly is not affected. When, 

 however, the fish has been struck and is in play, the linen 

 line comes into use and gives the latitude required to 

 humor its vagaries. Twelve-thread Cuttyhunk-line ranges 

 between an E and an F water-proofed line in diameter. 

 It takes up much less room on the reel than a water- 

 proofed jB-line, since the latter is three sizes thicker. 

 Thus a reel which will be overloaded with one hundred 

 and twenty yards of ^-line, will accommodate one hun- 

 dred and fifty yards of this combination - line without 

 difiiculty. The Cuttyhunk-line costs one and a half cents 

 a yard, and,, since it will lift a dead weight of eighteen 

 pounds, has ample strength. 



This is a very good arrangement provided the splice is 

 well made. It is difficult to imagine an angler in a more 

 hopelessly embarrassing position than to be fast to a 

 salmon, and find that the splice of his line has fouled in 

 the rod-rings. The splice may refuse to render at all, or 

 it may run out as smoothly as possible and then resist 

 every eif or t to bring it back. The first is the happier lot, 

 since then the whole thing is over in a breath, like pulling 

 a tooth, and the angler can abandon himself altogether to 

 wishing his economy at the bottom of the river. In the 



