THE ROD. 385 



I consider that in equally good hands, out of an equal 

 number of fish hooked on both rods, the limber one will 

 kill five against four to the stiff one. This, as I said 

 before, though, is a matter of opinion. The rod that I 

 have most faith in is the Castleconnell (Shannon) pattern, 

 green-heart, in two joints, wjth a long splice. The 

 single drawback to these rods, in my opinion, is their 

 length when taken down (9 feet 6 inches), and conse- 

 quent awkwardness to carry. This matters less, however, 

 in Canadian fishing than one might imagine. There is 

 not much driving backwards and forwards from the river. 

 Generally speaking, the angler puts up his rod at the 

 commencement of his fishing for the season, and does not 

 take it down till the close. Many good fishermen prefer 

 the three-jointed rod of ash and lancewood, the top joint 

 of which should always be a splice. Whatever differences 

 of opinion may exist as to the comparative merits of a 

 stiff rod and a limber one, there can be none as regards 

 the whippy rod, which is universally condemned. Be it 

 stiff or limber, the rod when handled should spring from 

 the butt ; when the butt is stiff and the top limber all the 

 strain is thrown on the latter, and there is a consequent 

 loss of power. 



The reel is a most important part of the angler's outfit, 

 and he should always be provided with a second one in 

 case of accidents. Again, in the matter of reels fishermen 

 are not unanimous ; some prefer a check, others a plain 

 wheel. For my part, as I always when paying out line 

 check it between the first and second finger of the hand 

 that is uppermost on the rod, I prefer a reel that runs as 

 freely as possible without over-running. The reel should 



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