48 Rambles with a Fishing-Rod. 



district, but still it kept a light single-handed 

 rod not altogether idle. There is certainly, in 

 many ways, more satisfaction to be had out of a 

 nice single-handed than a powerful double rod. 

 Smaller fish make a much better fight, and one 

 does not get into a rough way of handling fish, 

 which is fatal to good fishing, when clear water 

 and light tackle necessitate plenty of care and 

 skill. A white trout of three-quarters of a pound, 

 on a small rod, affords not bad amusement for a 

 few moments. On the other hand, if the day is 

 at all rough, and the fish to be taken are at all 

 likely to be large, there can be no question that 

 a double-handed rod should be used. Much 

 greater command can be had over the line, and 

 no well-hooked fish is likely to escape. There 

 is also this further advantage, that if in a lake 

 it is blowing freshly, and a good fish is hooked, 

 it is a matter of some importance to be able to 

 land him without loss of time ; otherwise, whilst 

 the oarsman is handling the landing-net, one 

 may be drifted far away from one's ground, or 

 the boat may knock the paint off her sides on 

 some projecting rock. 



The rain of the night was succeeded by a 

 heavy gale from the westward, which promised 



