ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING, &C. 99 



RODS AND LiyES PROPER FOR ARTIFICIAL 

 FLY'FISIfING, &C. 



4 



As for your arfijlcial fli/-rod, the directions 

 given in the first part of this treatise are sufficient, 

 only be careful that the materials which it is com- 

 posed of are well seasoned, and free from knots, 

 and that the whole is exactly perfect in regard 

 to symmetry. 



The length of the fly-rod is generally from 

 ahout fourteen to seventeen feet iong ; which is 

 long enough for any one who understands fly- 

 fishing to throw twelve yards of. line, with one 

 hand, and seventeen with both. 



To make a fly rod, that will be exceedingly 

 neat and pleasant in hand, you must observe 

 the following: method. 



Procure a nice breadth of ash plank, {\'e.e from 

 knots, perfectly sound, and about seven feet 

 long; let it be turned in -he lath so as to Tun 

 taper from the but end, which should be so thick 

 and no more than you can with ease gra'^p in 

 your hand; then have it ferrelled, or bind it to 

 a piece of hazel seven feet iong, and in exact 

 ta[;er proportion to the ash. i\s you may iiot 

 be able to get a piece of hazel so long, that will 

 run perfectly taper, it may consist of tw o or three 

 pieces; then add to the hazel a nice piece of 

 yew (in the same proportion to the hazel as that 

 is to the ash) two feet long, mane round, taper 

 and smooth, and to that, piece a bit of small, 

 round, and taper whale-bone, six inches long; 

 then the rod w^ill be completed; and if just sym- 

 metry is observed through the whole, it will be 

 a most excellent one. 



Some use deal for making the bottom of the 



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