47 



Mr. Hansard, author of a valuable little 

 work on " Salmon and Trout Fishing in 

 Wales," says, that "the length and strength 

 of rod must, of course, be proportioned to the 

 size of the fish you may expect, and the width 

 of the water in which you sport. A stiffer 

 rod is to be preferred, as enabling the angler 

 to throw with more exactness : it is also of 

 great advantage in a strong breeze." 



It is unquestionably easier to throw a line 

 in a " strong breeze," or against the wind, 

 with a stiff rod; but that is the only solitary 

 advantage it possesses. In every other respect 

 it is objectionable, and we defy any man to 

 cast his line lightly on the water with a stiff 

 rod. A stiff rod, and one pliable to the hand, 

 are equally objectionable, though from different 

 reasons. Medio tutissimus ibis. 



Colonel Hawker, whom we deem rather too 

 much conceited to be a profound adept in the 



are spliced together about the middle. These certainly 

 throw a fly in a neater manner than those encumbered 

 with ferrules can possibly do, as the spring from the hand 

 is uninterrupted, consequently, more regular ; and they are 

 admirably adapted for the use of an angler whose resi- 

 dence is near the scene of his diversion ; but the awk- 

 wardness of length renders them troublesome and un- 

 wieldy companions, when a walk of some miles intervenes 

 between the river and the angler's dwelling. This de- 

 scription of rod is in general use in the northern counties 

 of England, where ferrules are considered very objection- 

 able." Bainbridge. 



