g6 modern practical angler. 



Fly-rods, Lines, Hooks, &c. 



As regards fly-rods it is difficult to give any opinion 

 upon a matter which is so much one of taste, and de- 

 pendent to a great extent on the strength and height of 

 the individual angler. As far as my experience goes, a 

 twelve-foot rod inclined rather to stiffness than to pliancy 

 will be found the most generally efficient weapon. It is 

 also convenient to have a hollow butt, so that one or 

 two shorter tops — one for Minnow spinning, and one 

 for worm-fishing — may be carried in it. 



The single-handed fly-rod contained in the general 

 rod described at page 51, will be found to answer the 

 above description. A square ring of india-rubber slipped 

 half way down the butt will throw off the rain-drippings, 

 which would otherwise run down the rod on to the 

 angler's hands and sleeves. 



Full observations on the subject of Reels, Reel-lines, 

 Gut-lines, and how to stain gut, hooks for flies, nets, &c., 

 are (^iven in the preliminary chapters on tackle. 



FiSHIiNG WITH the DRY-FLY. 



The object of the dry-fly is evident from its name — it 

 is made to float dry on the water like the natural insect, 

 thus affording the solitary instance of the " formalist" or 

 entomological theory being carried to its legitimate 

 result. The peculiarities in the construction of the fly 

 to enable it to fulfil this ro/e, are first its wings, which 

 generally consist of the whole tops of feathers (mal- 



