ROD AND GUN HYBRIDS. 9 



found most difficult to manage, but excessively 

 fatiguing. There is a rod made in Castle Connell 

 (principally for salmon), after the above pattern ; it has 

 many admirers, who doubtless through experience have 

 become proficient in its use ; still I can speak only 

 from what I know, and my verdict is, leave them to 

 their present advocates. 



A combination-rod has always been my horror. I 

 mean such as fishing-tackle shop proprietors guarantee 

 to be both a perfect fly and bait rod by only altering 

 the tip. If persons will but use their brains they can 

 in a moment see that such is impossible. The two 

 cases are essentially different, requiring the spring and 

 elasticity in totally different pails. The act of placing 

 a dull, lumbering tip on the first three joints of a deli- 

 cate, pliant trout rod is really absurd. However some 

 may say, you will find a medium between the two more 

 generally useful. My answer is, what is worth doing is 

 worth doing well ; and if your intent is fly-fishing, the 

 most perfect rod for that purpose should be selected. 

 If the river is so discoloured or swollen that bait has 

 to be resorted to, or you must go supperless to bed, 

 for goodness' sake go and cut a hazel wand, unless you 

 carry a bait rod. Hybrids, whether in rod or gun, are 

 to be carefully avoided. I remember being once en- 

 trapped into using a hybrid gun, in the township of 

 Markham, Upper Canada. It was in this way : Going 

 through some brush I flushed a quantity of woodcock. 

 I stated the circumstance when I returned to the farm- 

 house where I was residing. As I had no gun with me 

 the host offered me the use of his, which from his 

 description was worthy of a royal duke; 1 therefore 

 accepted the offer. On production it proved to be half 



