240 AMERICAN FISHES. 



From any good tackle-maker, a few lessons can be obtained at a very 

 small expense, and these will, in a very short space of time, render 

 the novice au fait to the trick. 



The first thing to be considered in the angler's equipment, is the 

 rod, and it is here well to observe that, for almost every sort of fish- 

 ing, some different and peculiar rod is essential. That which is com- 

 monly called a general fishing-rod, is, in fact, an abomination, and is 

 useful only to the bait-fisher, and even for him is an awkward and 

 ineffective instrument, it being impossible so to regulate the arrange- 

 ment of the lower joints as to produce that regular and equable degree 

 of pliancy alike with a stiff baiting or with a pliant fly-top. 



For the Salmon, the rod should not be of more than eighteen, or 

 less than sixteen feet ; the longer is apt to be a little cumbrous, and 

 deftly to wield a double-handed Salmon-rod, during a whole summer- 

 day, requires no small practice of the muscles. The best wood for 

 the butt, which should be very stout and solid, is well-seasoned maple, 

 which is both light and strong ; the second joint of ash, the third of 

 hickory, and the fourth or top joint of equal parts of lance-wood, 

 or split bamboo, carefully spliced together. 



Many experienced anglers prefer to have their Salmon-rods manu- 

 factured without metal joints, but with neatly-cut and accurately-fitted 

 scares, which are adjusted and firmly spliced together with strong 

 waxed-end when at the river-side. 



The supposed advantage of this method is the greater certainty of 

 the rod's holding together during a severe struggle, in the course of 

 which a joint will sometimes be disengaged from the socket ; and a 

 greater equability of pliancy throughout the whole length, from the 

 butt to the end, which is supposed to be in some degree impaired by 

 the metallic ferrules into which the heads of the ferruled joints are 

 inserted. 



In the present improved state of the manufacture of all sporting 

 articles, I must however admit that these objections are, in my opin- 

 ion, very fanciful, and that the trouble of splicing and unsplicing 

 greatly exceeds the benefit derived from the practice. 



Nothing can be more beautifully regular and equal throughout their 

 whole length, than the springy bend of the best English, Irish, Scot- 

 tish, and American Salmon-rods ; and I may here record it as my 



