What Did They Use as Fishing Line?

For centuries, fishing line has been an essential tool of the angling trade. It is used to catch fish, of course, but also to help secure boats, catch crabs and lobsters, and even drag large nets through the water. In the past, fishermen have used a variety of materials for their lines, from string made from plant fibers to metal wire. But what did they use before these materials were available?

Over the course of history, a range of materials have been utilized as fishing line. The Egyptians and Greeks of ancient civilizations were said to have employed twisted flax or linen strands for their fishing lines. Other societies are believed to have utilized plant fibers such as hemp or jute, as well as animal sinews like tendons or ligaments.

In Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, silk was often used as a fishing line material due to its strength and flexibility. This was especially true in Italy where silkworm farming was prominent.

However, this method had its drawbacks; silk was expensive and not always easily available in rural areas where many people were still practicing subsistence fishing.

The development of metal wire in the 19th century revolutionized fishing technology and made it possible for people to use metal for their lines instead of natural fibers. The first commercially successful metal wire lines were made from brass wire wrapped around a core of string or gut material which provided extra strength and flexibility. This type of line quickly became popular with commercial fishermen who needed strong lines that could endure long hours at sea without breaking or tangling.

Today there are many different types of fishing lines available on the market ranging from monofilament nylon to braided superlines made out of spectra fiber or Dyneema® material. No matter what type you choose though, you can be sure that it is an improvement over what our ancestors had to work with!

Conclusion:

From ancient Egyptian flax strings to modern-day spectra fiber superlines, human ingenuity has come up with some truly remarkable ways to make effective use out of various materials when it comes to creating useful fishing lines! No matter what they used as their particular choice of fishing line though, one thing is certain: they all had one thing in common – they all wanted an effective way to catch fish!

Photo of author

Daniel Bennet