SEA-RODS, REELS, AND VARIOUS TACKLES. 53 
many fish on a fine tanned line at 8s. the hundred ; 
indeed, my Cornish boatman takes all his fish 
on a line costing 1od. the hundred! One 
maxim I would insist on, and that is the more 
line you carry on your reel, provided, of course, 
that the free running of the latter be not impeded, 
the better. Accidents happen at least as frequently 
in sea-fishing as elsewhere ; and it is very annoying 
to lose a good fish for want of another ten yards of 
line, or, if a bad break occurs early in the day, in 
which perhaps 30 or 40 yards are carried away, to 
have to stop fishing, and weigh anchor from sheer 
inability to reach the bottom. Therefore, always 
carry a good 80 or Ioo yards of line—a 44-inch 
reel will take this with ease if properly wound— 
and it is a good principle to retain a “ backing” of 
the better moiety of the last year’s line followed by 
40 or 50 of new. I hope thisis clear. The half 
of the line nearest the barrel lasts far longer than 
the lower half, for the simple reason that it is less 
in the water ; and instead of fitting up entirely new 
lines throughout each season, it answers every 
purpose to renew the last half only, being careful 
of course to make the splicing very strong and of 
such a nature as to run freely through the rings. 
It is necessary to bear in mind that the effect of 
sea-water on most lines is little less deleterious 
than on steel, and that those who would rely on 
their line in the hour of need should not think it 
too much “fag” to soak it for an hour after poo 
each day’s fishing in soft water, after which ment of 
it should be dried, wound round and round S¢#lines 
a chair or towel-horse, the surplus water being first 
squeezed out by drawing the line through a towel 
held tightly between the thumb and forefinger. A 
line treated with this consideration will never 
