Tackle 79 



stiff and immovable. For the same reason the 

 jointed rod would be more likely to break at the 

 points of union of the different sections than 

 would a spliced one. Perhaps, however, in actual 

 work the convenience in putting up and taking 

 down more than counterbalances the slight ad- 

 vantages I have named in the spliced rod. 



Flies 



*' Large be your fly too, with expanded wings 

 Of various hues, at this he boldly springs." 



— Williamson's British Angler, 1840. 



I approach the subject of flies with the cer- 

 tainty that no opinions, experiences, or views on 

 the matter can be advanced which will not run 

 counter to those of many masters. I have never 

 met two reasonable anglers who would not differ 

 radically as to some of their doctrines regarding 

 flies. It is as ticklish a minor theme to venture 

 the expression of decided opinions upon, or to 

 lay down hard and fast rules about, as one could 

 easily find. Were it possible to furnish a tyro 

 with a dozen different patterns of flies and force 

 him to fish with them alternately for several sea- 

 sons on a good salmon river, some authentic 

 information might be gained as to which kinds 



