576 OCEAN, LAKE, AND RIVER. 



rod. We prefer the nickel reel, as brass is apt to tarnish ; though 

 for salmon the lightness of the rubber reel is a very important de- 

 sideratum.* 



For lines that are used on reels, we prefer linen waterproof laid 

 lines, though some choose silk, or a tapered braid of silk and hair. 

 The objection to the latter is that the minute ends of hair fray 

 by wear, and prevent the line rendering freely through the rings 

 of the rod. Silk does not render as freely as a linen line that has 

 been used two or three times. For trolling, however, a cotton line 

 braided, so that it will not kink, will answer well enough, besides 

 being vastly cheaper. Waterproof silk trout lines cannot be 

 bought for less than five cents a foot. A good salmon line will 

 cost from fifteen to twenty dollars. 



With regard to the durability of tackle, very much depends upon 

 the care taken of it. The neglect of a single winter will cost hun- 

 dreds of dollars, if a man's stock be as large as that of most pro- 

 fessional anglers. Rods to be laid aside for the winter should first 

 be carefully examined, all defects and damages repaired, the ferrules 

 and bands thoroughly cleaned, new plugs fitted to the joints, and 

 rings supplied where missing. Where a joint has been fractured 

 or broken entirely, the parts should not be patched or spliced, but 

 a new one obtained. Negligence in this matter will be found a 

 poor winter's investment when the rod comes to be used again in 

 the spring. Take the rod apart, wipe the joints dry and lay them 

 away in their case in some apartment where the temperature will 

 be uniformly as near to fifty degrees as possible. By no means 

 let the rod stand near a chimney or furnace fliie ; and the other ex- 

 treme of cold in a garret or outbuilding should be avoided. Changes 

 of temperature destroy the pliancy and stiffness of the rod. Where 

 the rod has no leather-case, but is kept in a bag, never tie the parts 

 together tightly, as it subjects some portion to an extra strain, 

 thereby impairing the equal distribution of strength throughout its 

 entire length. For the same reason a rod should be laid flat on a 

 shelf if possible, instead of being stood on end in a comer, and 

 under no circumstances, either when in use or in ordinary, should 

 it be left jointed and hung on pegs. Really, the best way to keep 

 rods perfect is to put them in a shallow box, wide enough to hold 

 them when laid side by side, and two or three inches longer than 



* The latest really valuable improvement in reRls is the " new patent 

 treble-multiplying reel, with automatic drag." 



