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foot two-jointed rod, ■weighing- seven ounces, and this is the 

 class oi weapon which finds the greatest favour amongst the 

 most skilful exponents of the dry fly art. As to the merits 

 of sj)lit cane over other Avoods for this style of fishing, there 

 can be no two o})ini()ns, because the glued up rod can be 

 made both exquisitely light and delicate in handling, and 

 yet combine the spring and rigidity of a bar of finely- 

 tempered steel. The great merit of the split cane top is its 

 quick return, i.e., its quick response to the strike, which is 

 of vital importance in dry fly fishing. 



The tyro should seek the assistance of an old hand in 

 selecting a rod and line suitable to his own height and 

 strength, and to each other, and, when he has obtained these, 

 should avoid change, except for some very great improve- 

 ment. A light cane-built rod and a tapered silk line make 

 a day's casting far less arduous than formerly. 



The common fault of the costly English cane-built rods 

 is that the}^ are too massive and too clumsy for delicate cast- 

 ing and safe striking, especiallj' where xxx drawn gut is 

 being used. The cheap American split-cane rods err on the 

 other side, being too " soft " (whippy) for this method of 

 fishing. But one of my Yankee rods, that had no more 

 backbone in it than a caterpillar, was converted into a 

 first-class dry fly weapon by Messrs. Foster's steel wire 

 binding process. From being a floppy, weak thing, which 

 the fish played with when hooked, Messrs. Foster converted 

 it into a rod with which I can now cast a long line in the 

 teeth of a doAvn stream wind. Several of my friends have 

 had their rods similarly treated, and all with equally good 

 results. 



A perfectly balanced trout rod is an absolute necessity 

 to the casting of a dry fly delicately, the slightest top- 

 heaviness being fatal to dropping the fly as lightly as a 

 thistle-down upon the water. 



A double-tapered winch line of " medium " thickness, 

 and a reel that will enable you to balance the rod on one 

 finger in the middle of the cork handle are the correct 

 things. Do not use more than four feet of gut to begin 

 with, and let the cast commence with stout, natural gut, 



