56 SALMON FISHING 



yards uncoiled and lying on the stage or ground, 

 which, when the heavy line is thrown forward, 

 is dragged after it. It would be more to the 

 point in future tournaments to cast with the 

 line tight from the reel, and no shooting allowed. 

 A table might be set up (making allowance for 

 weight and length), whereby some useful data 

 could be obtained, which would serve as a 

 guide to the best form and construction of rod 

 a sportsman should use; but even this is ques- 

 tionable, as the best man with the worst tool 

 would probably cast farthest ; and in any case, 

 if rods are to be made for distance casting, they 

 cannot be suitable for general fishing. 1 It would 

 also seem desirable to perform the several casts 

 with the same rod, and take an average to 

 determine its value. A rod specially built for 

 the "overhead" cast (generally used in tourna- 

 ments), is not so suitable for other casts which 

 it is often more desirable to use in fishing; such 

 as for instance, the "loop" cast, which may be 

 employed whether there are high banks or not; 

 whereas in places where the banks are high, the 

 " overhead " cannot be used. 



When at work on the river, a great variety of 



1 It may be remembered that the writer, who has taken part in 

 most of the tournaments which have been held in this country, and 

 won more professional events than any other man, has always expressed 

 his opinion very freely on this subject. As a sport it is excellent, but 

 has little to do with actual fishing. 



