Casting the Minnow. 391 



was awarded medals as follows: At the contest during 

 tlii3 Chicago World's Fair, on September 34th, 1893, long- 

 est cast 153 feet. I was one of the judges of this event. 

 At a contest of the Chicago Fly-Casting Club, August 5th, 

 1894, he cast 179 feet. At a subsequent contest, about 

 1896, he made three casts of 198 feet; his average of five 

 casts being 173 feet. 



The Reel. — The multiplying reel is the only one 

 adapted to easting the minnow, and it should be the very 

 best one made. It should run as easily and smoothly as 

 possible, and multiply from two to four times. The im- 

 proved black bass reels referred to in the chapter on reels 

 are all excellent implements. 



The Reel-Line. — First and foremost among the suit- 

 able lines is the smallest size, H, or No. 6, plaited raw silk 

 line. It should be braided hard and close, and tinted or 

 parti-colored. Where the bass are exceptionally large, 

 size Gr, or No. 5, may be used, though the smaller or finer 

 the line the better, for a gut leader can not be used in cast- 

 ing the minnow, and longer casts can be made with the 

 finest lines. The proper length for a reel-line is fifty 

 yards. 



The boiled silk braided line is next best, but it is not so 

 closely plaited, usually, as the raw silk line, and conse- 

 quently absorbs more water, which is detrimental to cast- 

 ing. When it is as hard braided as the raw silk line it is 

 about as good. 



Next in order is the braided linen line ; the smallest size, 

 G, or No. 5, is the only size to be used, and that is rather 

 large. 



The last, though with some not the least, in point of 

 merit, is the relaid Japanese sea-grass (so-called) line, 

 which is made of raw silk, and in some respects is a better 



