214 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



perience to be far superior to longer rods for Black Bass 

 fishing. 



As a long, withy, willowy rod is best for casting a fly, 

 so is a short, stiffish rod best for casting a minnow. With 

 a rod of this character, anjd a light-running, multiplying 

 reel, it is an easy matter to cast from thirty to forty yards. 

 The situation of the reel upon the butt must be a com- 

 promise between the single and double-handed fly-rods ; 

 for though the rod is used almost entirely with one hand, 

 yet there are emergencies when both hands must be used, 

 for occasionally a six-pound Bass or a fifteen-pound Pick- 

 erel, Pike-perch, or Catfish Avill be hooked; or an unusu- 

 ally bold or fierce fighting Bass may get the advantage 

 of one and take to the weeds or rocks. It is also essen- 

 tial to have plenty of room for the hand below the reel 

 in casting, as the thumb must control the running off 

 of the line, and prevent the reel from overrunning, as in 

 Striped-bass fishing. The rod must have light, standing 

 guides, instead of rings as in the fly-rod. 



The rod from which my original description of the 

 " Coming Black Bass Rod " was taken is eight feet and three 

 inches long, and is in three joints; the first joint or butt is 

 composed of white ash, and the second joint and tip of 

 lancewood ; it weighs just eight ounces; it is finely bal- 

 anced, and has a true bend from butt to tip; with it I 

 have killed hundreds of Black Bass, weighing from two 

 to four pounds, and occasionally heavier, and Pickerel 

 from five to twelve pounds, with an occasional one scaling 

 fifteen pounds. I have used it many seasons, and do not 

 see where it can be improved ; it is as firm and elastic 

 as when first made. I have oftentimes cast out my 

 entire line of fifty yards, when casting with the wind. 



