242 
THE GAME-FISH OF MOMBASA ETC. 
1 gaff (steel). 
1 spring balance (100 lb.). 
1 rod-butt rest. 
There are so many excellent makes of heavy sea rods on 
the market that it is impossible to say which is the best, but 
the writer has always used an 4 Army and Navy ’ Dread- 
nought Tarpon Bod, No. 2, which being made on the principle 
of an archery bow is practically unbreakable. It has, how- 
ever, one fault, which should always be looked for when 
purchasing — the rings are porcelain instead of agate. In this 
case a clever Cingalese gold-merchant of Mombasa substituted 
ivory for the porcelain with excellent results. 
The length of the rod should not exceed 7 feet. 
Reels . — The most universal reel in use is the multiplier of 
the American pattern, a costly and complicated article and 
one which, unless the fisherman is well acquainted with its 
use, leaves much to be desired. 
When recently in London, I was shown what appeared 
to me to be quite the best type of reel as yet placed on the 
market. Capable of holding 850 yards line, it was fitted with 
a strong check and a long thumb-break, and the cost was very 
moderate — about 50 s. The reel can be obtained of Messrs. 
Hardy & Sons, the well-known rod-makers of Pall Mall. 
Lines . — A 24-thread Tarpon line is about the best to use, 
and at least 800-850 yards should be on the reel. 
The natives of the coast have an excellent dressing for 
lines which renders them absolutely waterproof and prevents 
that curse of anglers, i.e. ‘ kinking.’ 
This preparation, or rather preparations, for there are two 
kinds (both, however, giving the same results), is in the first 
instance the scraped bark of a stunted bush called Mkasiri, 
in the second the root of a similar bush called Mkoko. In both 
instances the outer covering is scraped fine and a handful rubbed 
on the line, which is then allowed to dry in the sun. Two 
dressings are necessary, when the line will be found to have 
hardened and assumed a bright red tint. Frequent dressings 
are subsequently applied until the line becomes almost black 
and quite waterproof. This preparation completely does 
away with the tedious operation of washing and drying the 
