54 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



the required momentum it is not enough that the angler 

 impart any conceivable velocity to his line. It must also 

 have weight if it is not speedily to succumb to the oppos- 

 ing force of the wind. Of course little can be done in the 

 teeth of half a gale of ^-ind, and nothing against a gale. 

 But against any ordinary summer breeze a water- proofed 

 -B-line can be made so to hold its way, that fishing 

 can notwithstanding be carried on with pleasure and 

 profit. It is for this reason that it has been heretofore 

 assumed that such a line would be used, and that a rod 

 "with backbone enough to handle it has been recommended. 

 When the wind is asleep or fair, one line will answer al- 

 most as well as another. But when it is in opposition and 

 chafes the current into waves, then is the time to try to 

 beguile a foi-ty-pounder; and unless the opportunity is to 

 be ignored, a heavy line is indispensable. 



Salmon-lines, it is said, are now in preparation for the 

 market, in which some twenty-five or thirty yards of both 

 ends are of B size, while the intermediate connecting por- 

 tion of seventy yards is to be two or three numbers thin- 

 ner. They would seem to fill every requirement. They 

 will have the weight to cast well, while a greater length 

 of line can be carried on an equal capacity of reel; and 

 when the salmon makes a long run, the thinner portion of 

 the immersed line will be less affected by the current than 

 if the line were of uniform thickness throughout. 



LEADERS. 



The seat of two thirds of all the anguish and despair 

 which checkers the bliss of the salmon-angler, lies here. 

 Do what he will, the leader remains the weakest part of 

 his outfit. Though adequate to resist every effort of the 



