SALMON FLY ROD, REEL, &c. 47 



married to it, 1 terminating in a loop to which 

 the single gut cast, short and thick for heavy 

 water and big flies, longer and finer for clear 

 water and small flies, can be attached. 



Such, then, in brief is the rod, reel, and line 

 of the present day. We cannot, however, leave 



FIG. 4 



FIG. 5 



the rod without saying a word about "balance." 

 This is perhaps the most important feature, as 

 a rod however well made, if imperfectly balanced, 

 is a failure. Referring to the old-fashioned rods 

 with their quick taper and fine tops, we must 



1 Caution. The splice should be frequently examined and occa- 

 sionally retied, 



