SECRETS OF THE SALMON 



reel; this should be six inches long with round 

 rubber end-piece to rest against the body when 

 playing the fish, as the left wrist will get too tired 

 during the long fight. I often carry the extra 

 handle in my pocket until a fish is hooked. Such 

 a rod should use a line .040 to .045 diameter at 

 the heaviest part. This will cast ninety feet with 

 ease in the hands of an expert, and seventy feet 

 for fishermen at all skilful. Ladies easily cast 

 this distance. For fishing all day this rod is about 

 as heavy as most people can stand without undue 

 fatigue. Note the holding power and light strik- 

 ing power in the vertical position in the diagram. 

 For dry-fly work in very clear low water I have 

 had made a special ten-foot, six-inch rod, seven 

 ounces in weight. You will notice that this rod 

 exerts less strain in the vertical position, than the 

 five-and-three-quarter-ounce tournament, and also 

 when the butt is back. At the same time it has 

 only a little less holding power when the butt is 

 forward, and kills fish rapidly. I can use an E 

 line, .035 diameter, on it and lighter leader without 

 breaking them than any rod I have seen. This 

 is the best tackle for low, still, clear water. It will 

 cast about ninety feet easily, but will not drive 

 into the wind like the tournament rod. 



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