CH. I.] TRACE—LENGTH FOR--SERVICEABLE TYPE OF. 9 
line has done much work, to sacrifice some yards of 
it, which can be more easily spared from a long 
than a shorter line. When a favourite line has 
thus become reduced to about sixty or seventy 
yards, I generally lengthen the end next the reel 
by splicing and carefully whipping on an additional 
piece, by which means I still have my old line to 
throw with, and plenty to fall back upon in case of 
need. You may thus utilize an old line until the 
knot comes within the cast. With great care, 
indeed, the splice may be so nicely made as 
scarcely to interrupt the passage of the line 
through the rings, even in casting. 
As a length for the trace I have generally 
found from six to seven feet quite sufficient. A 
longer one is apt to get in the way; a shorter one 
brings the line too near the hooks. As to its form, 
I have come to the conclusion that the following 
is, for general purposes, as serviceable and conve- 
nient a type (admitting, of course, of variation 
according to circumstances) as any that can be 
adopted. Above the shot have three lengths of 
gut (Fig.3, A), with a swivel between each, as also 
a swivel and small loop between the lowermost 
one and the shot. These should be perforate, and 
made up, separate from the traces, in flights of (say) 
