Fishing has been an important activity for human beings for thousands of years. Over time, various materials have been used for fishing lines to catch different types of fish. Before the invention of plastic, fishing lines were made from a variety of natural materials that included plants, animals and minerals.
One of the most popular materials used for fishing lines before the advent of plastic was silk. Silk is a strong and lightweight fiber that has been used for a variety of purposes over the years. In the early days, silk threads were used to create fishing lines that were strong enough to catch larger fish. Silk lines, however, had the downside of being very expensive and quite fragile.
Animal fibers, such as horsehair, catgut, and hemp were also popular materials for fishing lines. Horsehair was popularly used for salmon and trout fishing, while catgut was used by more experienced fishermen for catching larger fish like tuna and swordfish. Hemp was another popular material because it was relatively cheap and easy to find.
Before the invention of nylon, bamboo was also commonly used for fishing lines. Bamboo is a strong and durable plant material that was easy to work with, making it the perfect choice for creating long, flexible lines.
Other natural materials like flax, linen, grasses, and even human hair have also been used for fishing lines in the past. The choice of materials depended on the type of fish that was being caught and the fisherman’s level of expertise.
Fishing lines were made from a variety of natural materials before the invention of plastic. Silk, horsehair, catgut, hemp, bamboo, flax and even human hair were used in different parts of the world to catch fish. These materials were strong, flexible, durable and readily available, making them great choices for fishing lines. While plastic is now the most commonly used material for fishing lines, many fishermen still prefer the traditional and more environmentally friendly natural materials to this day.