250 THE LENGTH OF THE ROD 



longer the time occupied in communicating the wrist 

 action to the hook. 



In fishing down-stream, the rod will most often hook 

 the fish by its own delicate mechanical action, and it 

 becomes a more effective machine when its whippiness 

 is one of its pronounced features. 



THE LENGTH OF THE ROD 



It is when bank fishing that a long rod is most useful. 

 The dangers are then multiplied, and the aid of a long 

 rod after the fish is hooked frequently prevents break- 

 age. With an 8-ounce rod from 9 feet to 9 feet 6 inches 

 long, a fly can be cast up to 25 yards, a distance suffi- 

 cient for all trout fishing, and therefore the only reason 

 for a longer and heavier rod is that the user has a 

 greater power in keeping the fish from danger spots, 

 such as those immediately under the bank on which 

 he stands. This last danger is obviously minimized 

 when wading. 



The weight of the rod is not of the first importance. 

 It is in the balance and action of the rod that its value 

 lies. The movement of the tip of the rod should be 

 felt in the wrist, and if that is so, any weight of rod 

 under 10 ounces will not be noticed. The reel and 

 spear should balance the length of the rod when 

 grasped by the handle. 



