Fishing is one of the oldest forms of sustenance that has been practiced since ancient times. The most important tool for fishing is the fishing line – without it, one cannot catch a fish. But what was fishing line made out of before plastic?
From the earliest days of fishing, people used to make their own fishing lines from natural fibers like hemp, flax or cotton. These natural fibers were twisted together to increase their strength and make them more durable for use as a fishing line. This method was laborious and required skill and knowledge to get the desired results.
The first manufactured synthetic fiber for use in fishing lines was developed in 1938 by DuPont and was called nylon. This new type of fiber revolutionized the industry because it was strong, lightweight and could be produced in large quantities at an affordable price. It quickly became the preferred material for making all types of fishing lines, from leaders to mainlines.
In recent years, more advanced synthetic fibers have been developed that are even stronger and more durable than nylon. These include polyester, spectra and dyneema which are all much more expensive than nylon but offer greater strength and abrasion resistance when used in fishing lines.
Conclusion: Fishing line has come a long way since it’s early days when it was made from natural fibers like hemp, flax or cotton. Nowadays, most modern fishing lines are made with advanced synthetic fibers such as polyester, spectra or dyneema which offer greater strength and abrasion resistance than regular nylon lines.
