48 FISHING KITS AND EQUIPMENT 



price, it is well to look around a little before commit- 

 ting yourself. 



The best rods of lancewood, greenheart and other 

 solid woods may be had for from $8 to $12. Any 

 of these rods is much better than a split-bamboo at 

 the same price, and will give the angler long and faith- 

 ful service, although they are not, as we have said, 

 as well adapted to fly-casting as the good quality split- 

 bamboo. The noibwood fly-rod sells for $15. 



The best test of a fly-rod is ten years' hard work 



on a trout stream ; but, since your tackle dealer would 



probably be somewhat reluctant about 



lestmg h av { n nr the rod returned as not up to 

 the Kod. . . . 



scratch at the end of that period, it is 



necessary to test it in some other way. If you have 

 ever seen a rank novice selecting a rod you should 

 know, at any rate, how not to test the rod. He takes 

 hold of the extreme butt-end of the handgrasp, gin- 

 gerly, and, in the most perfectly lady-like manner, as 

 if the rod were made of glass, gently wafts it to and 

 fro through the sporting atmosphere of the tackle shop, 

 failing utterly to put the slightest snap, bend or action 

 into it. And if the variegated tints of the windings 

 happen to suit his artistic fancy, why, he just simply 

 buys. It's nice for the tackle man. 



Do not be afraid of the rod it will not bite you, 

 nor will it break but grasp it firmly, with the thumb 

 on top and along the handgrasp as in actual casting, 

 and put the rod to work, into action. It should bend 



