326 APPENDIX. A. 



A pair of pliers, a pair of scissors, and a penknife. 

 A book of artificial flies. 

 A book of (ijeneral tackle. 



Choice rods are of the utmost consequence to the angler's success, 

 and various instructions have been given by different authors for 

 selecting proper kinds of wood for the purpose, and the method of 

 making them ; but as excellent rods of every description are now to 

 be purchased in almost every part of the United Kingdon, I shall 

 recommend such as will be generally useful, and may be procured 

 without difficulty at any of the fishing-tackle shops in London. 



In choosing a rod, be careful to examine if the joints fit securely, 

 if it be perfectly straight when put together, and if it spring equally 

 in all its parts, from the butt to the top, when bent. 



That which is commonly termed a " general rod " will be found 

 most useful to the traveller who has not an opportunity of carrying 

 more than one with him at a time, it being so contrived that it may 

 be used either for fly-fishing, trolling, or bottom fishing, as the butt 

 of the rod is boi'ed, and contains several spare tops, i. e., one for the 

 fly, one for spinning the Minnow, one for the float, and another for 

 trolling — the whole being conveniently packed up in a canvas bag. 



Although this kind of rod will be found highly serviceable on many 

 occasions, I would by no means recommend the use of it when you 

 have an opportunity of employing separate and appropriate rods for 

 the different kinds of angling. The rods used exclusively for fly- 

 fishing should be as light as possible, consistent with strength, and if 

 for throwing with one hand, not more than from twelve to fom-teen 

 feet long, and if with both hands, not more than from sixteen to 

 eighteen feet. Indeed, a rod shorter than either of these would be 

 found very convenient in a narrow, closely-wooded stream, where it is 

 frequently necessary to force your fly with a short line under over- 

 hanging bushes 



I am acquainted with some excellent anglers in the north of Eng- 

 land, who cannot be persuaded to use any other fly-rod than one 

 composed of two pieces only, and spliced in the middle ; but this is 



