14 LAKE AND STREAM GAME FISHING 



length, but as the sport grew in popularity, they 

 stretched them up to six and a half feet, making all 

 stops between. It is a matter of personal choice as 

 to length, probably the most popular size being the 

 five footer. This makes a rod that has a good 

 swing to it and still carries enough backbone to hold 

 the big ones, and at the same time is long enough to 

 give fine play in landing the fish. For overhead 

 casting, while sitting in a boat, the five-footer makes 

 an ideal size, and is about right for distance casts. 

 Split-bamboo rods average about an ounce to the 

 foot, and at that rate a five-footer would only tax 

 your wrists to the tune of five ounces, which isn't 

 such a great old load to toss around during the day's 

 fishing. 



FITTINGS FOR THE ROD 



The fittings of the rod are an important feature - 

 they not only add to the life of the rod but also, if 

 of the right kind, add to casting qualities, and every 

 little help to lessen the effort and work of casting 

 makes quite a difference in a few hours' fishing. 

 The ferrules should be of German silver they are 

 stronger and better made than the brass ferrules 

 which are generally nickel-plated, and many a defect 

 can be hidden under a coating of nickel. 



The selection of the hand grip, as to style, lies 

 between the single and the double grip. After a 

 day's casting with the double grip you will wonder 



