Blow-Line Fishing

1900

Advantages Not Possessed by "Invisible" Line Methods

"Some fishermen dislike a heavy line," says an old fisherman, "believing that it is more easily seen, and consequently alarming to the fish. I am convinced that this is an erroneous impression, however, as if a proper length of leader be used and the fly correctly handled it is impossible for the fish to see the line, not to mention the enormous advantage in accuracy and distance obtainable in the cast, particularly in a wind.

"A line which has never to my knowledge been used locally is known as the blow-line. I should have tried it long since for lake fishing were it not for the difficulty in obtaining one and my failing to remember this fact until too late each year. The line is constructed of very loosely woven silk, and is very light and porous. The fisherman proceeds to that shore of the lake from which the wind blows, armed with a very long, stiff pole (not rod), some live grasshoppers, willow or May flies and a small hook attached to a long gossamer leader. The bait is impaled on the hook and the pole given a quick jerk upward, throwing the line directly overhead, where the wind catches it and blows line, bait and all well out into the lake, where the bait struggles in an enticing manner. I believe the method to be a deadly one, and hope to try it some day, if my memory improves."


Dyed Birds

A resident of Presourg, Austria, after years of experimenting, has succeeded in coloring the plumage of birds by the administration of food mixed with aniline dyes. In this way he has produced red and blue pigeons, and has imparted to canaries all the tints of the rainbow.


Only Half?

Half the suicides in France are caused by losses at horse races.

Here's a Question for Anglers

1914

What Sort of Fish Hooks Did Our Remote Ancestors Use? Is Up for Discussion

What sort of hooks did our ancestors, our really remote ancestors, use "when wild in wood the noble savage ran?"

I am inclined to agree with the American view that the earliest type of hook, if hook it can be called, was a straight bit of flint buried in the bait. When the fish had swallowed the bit of meat, or whatever the bait was, the tightening of the line pulled the flint across its throat, and, as it stuck there, the fish could be hauled ashore without more ado.

Perhaps some bright innovator of that misty past one day tried a bit of flint which had a double curve like a pair of buffalo horns, and found it effective, and perhaps out of that developed the genuine double hook, which seems to have been a very early form. And perhaps the single hook that came into being because it was realized that one bend was as efficient as two for most purposes. — London Telegraph.


Another "Limit"

The stingiest man in Jamestown, the Optimist says, loafs around the drug store in the hope that the odor of the drugs will cure his cold. — Kansas City Times.


Quite So

The man who never laughs at himself misses many a chance for a good giggle.