294 ROD AND RIVER 



of the two, by reason of his being able to use 

 such strength as he possesses to the greater 

 advantage. Heavy-chested, large-armed men are 

 often very clumsy. Their limbs are over-mus- 

 cular, and they cannot open their shoulders freely. 

 Such men cannot throw, run, ride, shoot, do any- 

 thing that is to say, they rarely excel in either 

 of these things. A more lathy, weaker man, 

 whose length of limb affords greater leverage, 

 can walk round his bigger, heavier brother, and 

 knock him into a cocked-hat in no time. Now, 

 in order to use a salmon-rod properly, length of 

 arm is of great advantage. But I shall have 

 occasion to refer to this later on. 



No man should use a rod which is beyond his 

 strength, or which tries him unduly. A long 

 day's salmon - fishing affords exercise enough 

 without any unnecessary addition ; and a beginner 

 will find his ribs ache even with the lightest and 

 most suitable rod. So long as a rod possesses 

 strength sufficient to carry its line well and cleanly, 

 and to hold a fish when it is necessary and possi- 

 ble to do so, it is strong enough ; and one inch 

 greater length or one grain more weight than 

 suffices to ensure this is mere lumber. The 

 circumstances which may require the use of a rod 

 more than eighteen feet in length are very ex- 

 ceptional. Indeed, one of sixteen or seventeen 

 feet is amply long enough for all ordinary pur- 



