ROD AND GUN HYBRIDS. 9 



Some persons, particularly Irish fishermen, are attached 

 to double-action rods ; that is, rods which have so much 

 elasticity in them that they display two movements, one up 

 and the other down, when suddenly used. I do not like 

 them for more than one reason ; the movement of the 

 wrist in striking the fish, while raising the butt, throws 

 the tip down, thus giving quite a contrary motion to what 

 is intended. Again, if you have to fish against the wind, 

 they will not only be found most difficult to manage, but 

 excessively fatiguing. There is a rod made in Castle 

 Connell (principally for salmon), after the above pattern; 

 it has many admirers, who doubtless through experience 

 have become proficient in its use ; still I can speak only 

 from what I know, and my verdict is, leave them to their 

 present advocates. 



A combination -rod has always been my horror. I mean 

 such as fishing-tackle-shop proprietors guarantee to be 

 both a perfect fly and bait rod by only altering the tip. If 

 persons will but use their brains they can in a moment see 

 that such is impossible. The two cases are essentially 

 different, requiring the spring and elasticity in totally 

 different parts. The act of placing a dull, lumbering tip 

 on the first three joints of a delicate, pliant trout-rod is 

 really absurd. However, some may say, you will find a 

 medium between the two more generally useful. My 

 answer is, what is worth doing is worth doing well ; and 

 if your intent is fly-fishing, the most perfect rod for that 

 purpose should be selected. If the river is so discoloured 

 or swollen that bait has to be resorted to, or you must go 

 fiupperless to bed, for goodness' sake go and cut a hazel 



