TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



Before going any further with the subject, I wish to 

 call the reader's attention to what, in my judgment, is a 

 fact, namely, that fly-rods vary just as much as do anglers, 

 and that fly-rods have to be fitted to the anglers, not the 

 anglers to the fly-rods, in order to achieve any kind of 

 success at fly-fishing. 



Dr. Henshall maintains that the proper function of 

 a rod (that is, its most important office) is brought into 

 use in playing and finally landing a fish after it is hooked. 



Mr. La Branche, on the other hand, maintains that 

 the most important function of the rod is to cast the fly 

 lightly and accurately upon the water. 



Here then we have a direct issue as to the real func- 

 tion of the fly-rod, and also as to the proper kind of rod 

 to use. 



You will remember that Dr. Henshall, in what he has 

 to say about a fly-rod and its most important function, does 

 not mention one word about a "soft" or "powerful" rod, 

 but confines himself to the action of the rod in service 

 and what a good rod should accomplish if properly used. 



Let us consider just what it is Mr. La Branche has to 

 say, how he says it and the meaning he wishes to convey 

 to his readers. 



First — ^That anyone who believes Dr. Henshall can "never 

 become an accomplished fly fisherman." 



78 



