Fishing has been a popular pastime activity for many years. The equipment used for fishing has changed significantly over time. Fishing line, for example, is one of the most important parts of a fishing rod. It holds the bait and hooks, and it plays a vital part in reeling in the catch. Nowadays, modern fishing lines are made from various materials like monofilament, braided, or fluorocarbon lines. However, the question that arises here is,?
The history of fishing line dates back to ancient times. People in those times used a variety of materials like animal sinews, horsehair, silk, and even cotton to make fishing line. Horsehair was a popular choice for making fishing line because of its strength and durability. However, it was difficult to obtain in large quantities, which made it more expensive.
In the 17th century, silk became the material of choice for making fishing lines. The silk lines were thicker than the horsehair ones, and they were softer, which made them more manageable. The silk lines were made by twisting together several strands of silk to produce a strong, supple, and resilient fishing line. During the 18th century, fishing lines made of silk were mass-produced, and they became widely available for common angling practices.
In the 1800s, cotton became a popular material for making fishing lines. The cotton was treated with linseed oil to reduce the friction and make the line more durable. The cotton lines had many advantages over silk lines as they were softer and smoother to handle, but they had a lower strength than silk lines.
In the mid-20th century, man-made materials like nylon and Dacron started to replace natural materials in fishing lines. Nylon was the first man-made material used to produce fishing lines in the 1940s. It was stronger, more durable and cheaper than silk and cotton lines. Gradually, other synthetic materials like polyethylene, fluorocarbon, and braided lines were introduced into the fishing industry.
The material used to make fishing lines has changed significantly over time. From animal sinews, silk, horsehair, cotton to nylon and other synthetic materials, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Nowadays, anglers have a vast choice of fishing lines at their disposal, depending on their preferences, fishing style, and target species. However, it’s always interesting to discover the roots of different fishing equipment before the modern technology advances that we know today.