52 ROD AND RIVER 



fish on fine tackle, the slightest movement being 

 communicated to the hand. I have not only no 

 fault to find with them, but nothing save the 

 highest praise to award them. In price they are 

 moderate, some 555. or 6os. I, however, prefer 

 those which are made with fittings for an ordinary 

 reel, and would advise the reader, should he 

 think of purchasing such a rod, to mention this in 

 his order. If I required a new rod I should 

 prefer to purchase one of these, and would sooner 

 do so than any other description of rod with which 

 I am acquainted. 



I also possess another a most wonderful little 

 rod. I believe that the maker, Dr. Lucas, lives, 

 or used to live, at Nottingham. It is the work of 

 an artist and a sportsman : plain and unpreten- 

 tious to a fault, but of perfect balance and wonder- 

 ful power. The rings are very large, the top ring 

 of steel, and the fittings of gun-metal. It is but 

 a tiny rod, yet I can cast from eighteen to twenty 

 yards with it. In small streams it is invaluable, 

 and it is equally good for ' switching ' as for cast- 

 ing. I only wish that it were a longer, larger 

 rod, as for the work I require it is too small to be 

 of general service to me. I have recently seen a 

 fishing-reel also made by Dr. Lucas, .and it 

 appeared to me to be as practical and good of its 

 kind as the rod. It is my intention to try and 

 purchase one at the first opportunity. 



