10 USE OF LAKGE AND SMALL RODS. 



As there is more merit, so is there more amuse- 

 ment, in capturing salmon with a small rod and 

 slight tackle, than with powerful rod and tackle. 

 The one is fitter for rough, rapid work, — the 

 other for gentler and pleasanter proceedings. 

 With fishing gear almost irrefragable, the most 

 awkward angler will kill large fish — to do so 

 with delicate implements, demands the fine hand- 

 ling of a finished artist. If I were fishing for 

 »ain, the biir rod should be the instrument I 

 would use ; — if for mere amusement — for try- 

 ing pleasant conclusions with fish — a light rod 

 and slight lines should be my play-things. If I 

 were proceeding on a salmon-fishing tour through- 

 out the empire, and limited to the use of a single 

 rod, the one I would choose should not exceed 

 sixteen feet in length ; but, if I were not ham- 

 pered in my choice, I should have one rod of 

 that length, and another of seventeen feet four 

 inches, leaving to the giants who delight in com- 

 bating Spey and Shannon salmon, those pisca- 

 tory poles, measuring six yards long and more. 

 No angler should use a rod oppressive to his 

 physical powers. The sword of the life-guards- 

 man is longer and heavier than that of the hussar 

 or light-dragoon ; yet it does not follow, that in 

 all encounters it shall do most execution. Still it 



