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inch apart, but that is of no consequence so long as it is 

 firm. The hemp should be passed under the guide to 

 secure it. A rod, properly put together in this way, will 

 stand a week's fishing without any trouble or inconvenience. 



With regard to using the rod, I have seen some 

 anglers very impatient, putting more strain on the rod 

 than it was able to bear ; and then, as a matter of course, 

 it came to grief. I have seen more rods broken by hasty 

 throwing, and not allowing sufficient time in picking up 

 a long line from the water, than by playing a fish. I have 

 also seen some of the best of rods broken by the fly 

 getting entangled in a twig, or a blade of grass ; and the 

 angler has declared it was quite rotten, while there was no 

 fault either with the wood or the maker. A sudden twitch 

 or jerk will break the best rod that can be made. I have 

 often heard the angler say : "I was only throwing or 

 striking very gently, when it snapped off like a carrot." 

 A sudden jerk will break whipcord, while it can rarely be 

 broken by a fair strain. As such, my advice to all anglers 

 is to handle their rods as gently as possible ; for by so 

 doing they will avoid disappointment and unpleasantness 

 with the rod maker. 



One of the best and most useful rods I have brought 

 out is my much approved "Multum in Parvo Fly Rod." 

 I made the first for my own use, which was only eight feet 

 in length. I was suffering at the time from rheumatism, 

 and could not use my ordinary fly rod, but did not like to 

 be disappointed in meeting a party of gentlemen anglers, 

 whom I had joined with much pleasure, for over thirty 

 years, on the river Coin, at Fairford, in the May fly season. 



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