TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



toward the tip end of the rod and away from the handle 

 end of the rod. 



From my experience and experiments with many dif- 

 ferent makes of split bamboo fly-rods (I use no other 

 kind), I have reached the conclusion, after many years, 

 that the proper balance for any fly-rod can be very nearly 

 obtained, as a general proposition, by using a reel which, 

 without the line, weighs, as I have already stated, one and 

 one-half times the weight of the rod, and this is irrespective 

 of the length of the rod. 



It is well worth any angler's time to give this subject 

 some little attention for the purpose of finding out if he 

 has really as well balanced a rod as he ought to have if he 

 does any amount of fly-fishing. 



As an experiment it is very interesting to learn what 

 a vast difference the proper weight of reel makes in the 

 handling of a rod without fatigue, and what a great dif- 

 ference it makes in the casting of a fly. 



For instance, take a five-ounce rod and try casting, 

 first with a reel that weighs four ounces, then with a reel 

 that weighs five ounces (the weight of the rod) ; now 

 follow with a reel that weighs six ounces and finally try 

 a reel that weighs seven and one-half ounces or one and 

 one-half times the weight of the rod. 



Having made this experiment, the chances are that 

 you will never again use a reel that does not weigh more 

 than the rod and probably you will elect to use a reel about 

 the weight I have mentioned. 



The weight of reel suggested as the proper one to 



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