I SALMON FISHING. 165 



[possesses a valuable principle of its own, but carried 

 I to a mischievous excess in the two extreme types 

 il have referred to. In a Salmon-rod power is pre- 

 I eminently necessary, and greenhart gives it. Light- 

 jness is another essential element, and the old- 

 j fashioned evenly- tapered hickory rod admirably fulfils 

 the condition. 



At most London tackle makers, however, and at many 

 iof the best provincial makers also, a rod may now be 

 obtained which combines in the greatest attainable per- 

 fection both of these qualifications. In these rods tie 

 'upper joints are made of greenhart and the butts com- 

 Imonly of ash ; and without being so swishy as the pattern 

 jwhich finds favour at Castle Connel and generally 

 throughout Ireland, they have pliancy enough to be 

 pleasant handling, as well as stiiTness sufficient for hard 

 ipractical work. When properly proportioned they are 

 quite free from top-heaviness, and yet will strike and 

 "double up" a fish fast enough to please the veriest 

 butcher, whilst possessing that perfect graduated play 

 from butt to point which connoisseurs delight in. These 

 rods are generally made in three joints, with ferrules^ 

 |and vary in length from 17 to 21 or 22 feet. I append 

 pe measurements of a rod of my own made on this, 

 principle, which has been admired by some good Salmon- 

 fishers : — 



