The requisite materials for making up a fishing line are a good length of tanned water cord, some short lengths of pointed sticks, and some hooks. The latter will vary according to the kind of fishing; for eels or night lines, eyed hooks or those with the shank flattened are generally used, but for day fishing strong gut hooks are best. Cut the cord into lengths of 10 yd. or 12 yd., according to the width of the river, tie one end to a stick, and at the other end fasten a heavy lead sinker. About four hooks are sufficient, and the first one should be fastened about 18 in. from the weight and the others a little more than 1 ft. apart. To secure the gut hooks to the line, make a loop and tie a single knot (see Fig. 2), which, when tightened, will have the appearance of Fig. 1. Pass the loop of the gut over that of the line, and draw the hook through the loop on the line. To secure eyed hooks, form a loop in a piece of finer cord than that used for the line, about 8 in. long, tying it in a similar manner to Fig. 1. Pass the loop (Fig. 3) through the eye of the hook and over the point and draw it up to form a tie, as shown by Fig. 4. For day fishing the hook may be secured to the line as described for Fig. 1, but for night lines for eels use a swivel to prevent the line being twisted off. If hooks with flattened shanks are used, tie a double knot in a piece of cord similar to that used for the eyed hooks (Fig. 6). Pull the two ends and the knot will assume the form of a figure 8. Put the shank of the hook through both loops of the 8 (Fig. 5) and pull the knot tight, then cut off the ends. In using a line of this description, throw the weight as far as possible, then draw up the line tight, so that the hooks hang clear of the line.

Fig. «

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.

Making up a Fishing Line.