48 SALMON FISHING 



bear in mind that these were used in conjunction 

 with light twisted hair lines. The introduction 

 of silk plaited with the hair to give strength, 

 eventually paved the way for the use of all 

 silk-plaited lines such as the "Corona," which 

 are now used heavily dressed with oils. A line 

 of the weight now approved for rough weather 

 fishing, would destroy the very fine tops of the 

 older rods, while those of the present day carry 

 it with ease, and are much lighter to work. 



To describe the various balances, from the stiff 

 Scotch, to the very supple slow-butted Irish type, 

 or the peculiar " Spey " with its bent top, would 

 require a long chapter, and we must pass on; merely 

 remarking, that without doubt a great deal of our 

 present knowledge has been obtained from a study 

 of the merits or demerits of these older types. 



A perfectly balanced rod should be capable of 

 casting either a short or moderately long line 

 equally well. A stiff butt, which does not com- 

 mence to work until 25 yards of line is ex- 

 tended, is naturally too stiff to cast nicely at 

 15 to 20 yards. The most perfect rod in this 

 respect may be compared to a shot-gun, which 

 should be bored not for long shots only, but 

 so that it will do its work well, at say 25 to 

 35 yards. A salmon rod should have its range 

 from 20 to 30 yards to work easily, and when 

 extra force is put into it, to get 35 yards is as 



