SALMON RODS 295 



poses, provided it is properly made and properly 

 used. The reader can select his own material ; 

 but, for my own part, I think that the greenheart 

 rods sold by Mr. Farlow, and named after Major 

 Traherne, leave nothing to be desired ; and if a 

 man cannot do well with one of these, he will 

 most certainly signally fail to do better with any 

 other. Cane rods are a luxury ; they are very 

 pleasant to handle, and are, I am aware, ex- 

 cellent, when they are really good ; but I prefer 

 the old greenheart, and feel infinitely safer with a 

 well-made rod of this description than with any 

 other. 



Whereas top-heaviness is to be abjured when 

 making selection of a trout-rod, a salmon-rod 

 can afford to err somewhat in that respect, a 

 slight tendency to drop being an advantage when 

 fishing against a wind or switching. The Castle- 

 Connell pattern of rod is suitable for the latter ; 

 and I am well aware that those people who can use 

 them are loud in their praises of them. For my 

 own part, I think them detestable, shaky, wobbly 

 affairs, and I would not accept one as a gift if I 

 were expected to use it. They are less expensive 

 than other rods, and are made of good material ; 

 but it is most difficult to learn to use them, and 

 when the knowledge has been acquired, they are 

 no better than other good rods indeed, in many 

 respects inferior. 



