486 FISHING-RODS. 



Rods are unhandy things to carry on a long journey. 

 They are subject to many accidents in rough travel, 

 and are not easy to repair, if I subjected to injuries, 

 such as the bending of a ferrule, the breaking of a 

 joint, etc. The top, of course, is the part of a rod 

 most subject to breakage. If the traveller carries an 

 outfit of rods therefore, let him provide himself with 

 several spare tops, as a reserve in case of accidents. 

 A fly fisherman will find a good strong- trout rod a 

 sine qua non. Avoid the light, easily injured, delicate 

 things fishermen sometimes prefer, as being " light and 

 handy" in the home waters. When a man is far 

 removed from a fishing-tackle shop, he wants something 

 more substantial. The author possesses such a one 

 now, which after thirty years' service, from time to 

 time, in many lands, is still (with some occasional 

 repairs of course) practically as good as ever. 



For trolling with natural baits or spoons, good strong 

 salmon rods are invaluable. They can have fly tops for 

 fly fishing, but should have shorter and stouter tops 

 for spinning. It is a good plan to have two of these 

 rods, with the joints interchangeable, about 18 feet 

 long when the fly top is put on, and made in three 

 pieces. Have plenty of spare tops, and a spare middle 

 joint. Carry some spare rings to replace defects. 



The regular trolling rod for pike fishing usually sold 

 in England is too short and not flexible enough, and 

 the stand-up rings are very subject to injury while 

 travelling; a large fish can be more safely managed 

 on the former than on the latter, at least that was the 

 author's experience. 



Capital makeshift rods can however he made by a 

 handy man, and bamboos are unrivalled for this purpose. 



