118 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



Every five minutes the fly was changed, ranging from 

 the smallest gnat to a good-sized salmon-fly. I tried it 

 on the water under the water in every way and under 

 every condition I could devise, but all in vain. So it may 

 reasonably be surmised that peace was not with me. 



Suddenly my guide exclaimed, " He's got one !" I 

 looked. I was at once struck by the perfect curve of 

 the rod, which was doubled up to a degree that few 

 could regard without apprehension, for the old gentle- 

 man clearly was handling his fish " without gloves." 

 Momentarily I expected to see it break. But no ; ten 

 fifteen minutes half an hour passed and still the rod 

 triumphed over that fearful strain, while the fish seemed 

 as fresh as ever. At last a boy climbed a tree overhang- 

 ing the bank and not twenty feet distant from the boat. 

 No sooner had he reached his perch and taken in the 

 situation, than he shouted, "Why he's got him by the 

 tail !" For at least an hour the struggle lasted, and 

 when, after landing his trout, the old gentleman passed 

 me on his way home, I asked him if I might see it. It 

 weighed seven pounds by my own tested scales, and 

 there, sure enough, about three inches in front of the tail 

 and on the right side was the wound of the hook. Per- 

 mission having been granted to examine the rod, no sign 

 could be detected of the fearful ordeal through which it 

 had passed. 



If the amount you feel willing to pay for a rod be 

 limited, an ash and lancewood rod is the safest invest- 

 ment ; but select one in which the ash is white and of 

 wide grain, and the lancewood yellow and free from 

 bluish stains. If, however, the rod is colored, as is fre- 

 quently the case, you cannot judge of this ; then you 

 must rely on the maker, and should buy only from the 



