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CHAPTER III. 



ON THE CHOICE, MAKE, MATERIALS, AND 

 QUALITIES OF A FLY-ROD. 



IN this chapter we shall first state our own 

 opinion as to the best sort of rods, and we shall 

 then give the opinions and advice of the best 

 judges and writers on the same subject. The 

 importance to be attached to the qualities of a 

 rod is very great. It is a matter of perfect 

 impossibility to throw a fly with precision, or a 

 line, so as that it may fall lightly on the water 

 two operations of absolute necessity with 

 a rod of improper construction, make, and ma- 

 terial, no matter how experienced and skilful 

 the hand that wields it. The opinions on the 

 subject are various and conflicting; but we 

 can safely and with confidence advise the fly- 

 fisher to adhere to our judgment, as it has been 

 formed by careful comparison (all judgment of 

 any weight should have its source in extensive 

 and cautious comparison, otherwise it will be 

 worthless and one-sided) of the rods of many 



