ANGLING. 



FISHING HODS. 



A good fishing-rod ^ is one of the essential instruments for the 

 angler, and one to which he commonly pays the greatest attention ; 

 and this is more particularly the case in London, and in other large 

 towns, where articles of this kind can be procured of the best quality 

 and most polished workmanship. But in remote country districts, 

 where there is often the best angling, we may daily meet with the 

 frequenter of the streams, furnished only with a straight hazel rod, 

 or perhaps two rudely spliced together, following his vocation 

 with ardour and success. It is often surprising, and not a little 

 instructive withal, how necessity sharpens the intellect of the 

 angler: and how he shifts on, from the simplest and rudest 

 implements, and really procures a fair day's sport under the most 

 apparently discouraging circumstances. Every person who has 

 visited the rural districts of England and Wales, with the rod in 

 his hand, must have seen many instances of this kind, and felt a 

 sort of inward self reproach, that with all his^ superior outfit, he 

 could not hope to surpass the success of the simple, but indefati- 

 gable rustic craftsman. 



The qualities which a good and handy rod must possess, will, of 

 course, vary with the nature of the angling. There need be no 

 very great difference between a ^salmon and a trout rod, for fly 

 fishing, except you fish in very wide streams, or on lakes in open 

 boats. In such cases, we would recommend a good double- 

 handed rod, from sixteen to eighteen feet in length, as the best 

 that could be made for salmon fishing, in such kinds of water as we 

 have just noticed. A rod of this size, and for this specific purpose, 

 ought to have a free and equal spring ^in it, from the butt end to 

 the top. This is of vital importance in dealing with large fish, 

 whether hooked and run in rivers or in lakes. 



A single-handed fly rod ought to be from twelve to fifteen feet 

 in length. It should be as elastic as possible, and constructed of 

 such materials as will unite lightness and elasticity with durability 

 and strength. An experienced fly fisher can never get hold of a 

 rod that is too light and springy, although a rather stiffish weapon 

 is better for a beginner. The most beautifully elastic rods we 

 have ever seen, were those made of ash and lance-wood. All rods 

 with metallic root-pieces must necessarily be of uneven supple- 

 ness, although of late years, the manufacture of tliis description of 

 rod has very materially improved, with reference to this radical 

 defect. 



There are many expert^ anglers, particularly those who have 

 been constantly resident in the vicinity of narrow and thickly- 

 wooded streams, who can use no other but a single-handed fly-rod. 

 The mode of fishing in such limited, and often very clear waters, is 

 quite different from that which a man has to practise in more 

 spacious and stronger rivers. But a good lengthy rod, where it is 



