MAGIC IN A GOOD FLY-ROD. 173 



to be better than German silver or brass, but alumine, or alu- 

 minum, is better than either. 



FLY RODS. Rods made from split bamboo are unquestion- 

 ably the best in use ; but a Robert Welch rod, of ash for the 

 butt and second joint, lance wood for the third, and split bam- 

 boo for the fourth or top joint, is the best rod that I have 

 ever owned for general fly-fishing. The split bamboo rod is 

 much lighter, and full as desirable. A fly rod should not be 

 under twelve feet in length, and I had rather have it six 

 inches over, or so made with duplicate top and third joints 

 as to make it either twelve or twelve feet six, though my 

 longest fly rod is only twelve feet and two inches long. I 

 prefer a single action rod to the one of double action or a 

 " kick in the handle," though the latter may send a fly far- 

 ther, and deliver it more gracefully, but it lacks the snap of 

 the single action to strike. Fly -rods from split bamboo 

 should weigh from seven to ten ounces when mounted ; and 

 if from ash, lancewood, and split bamboo, if strictly for sin- 

 gle hand, their weights should range from nine to fifteen 

 ounces ; and if the latter weight, they should be about twelve 

 and a half feet long. Neither rod should be too withy, but 

 have snap or elasticity enough in the top to hook a fish with- 

 out yielding enough to permit the sinner to disgorge. One 

 of the pleasures of fly-fishing is to use a rod which will re- 

 sponsively hook a trout without an effort of the angler. The 

 sport consists in delivering a fly neatly on a straight line 

 seeing the trout rise gushingly to the surface and accept the 

 lure and playing a trout gracefully. The charm consists in 

 the manner of taking the trout, and the surroundings of a 

 pleasing landscape the music of birds, the spring-time of 

 general rejuvenation, and the running harmony of intellectu- 

 al conversation. There is society in trouting, but it does not 

 prevent the soul from b'asking in all the life and beauty of 

 sound and gayety around. 



LANDING NETS. If for landing in a boat or on shore, a two- 

 jointed handle is the best. If for wading, a short handle, at- 



