4 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



"There is no single 'best' rod." Having said that, 

 however, I hasten to add that I have my favorite 

 rod and will defend its merits and super-excellencies 

 just as long and as stoutly as any angler. As there 

 is no unanimity of opinion amid anglers, the man 

 seeking information finds himself "all at sea" when 

 it comes to choosing a rod. I have letters on file 

 from all over the United States and from several 

 foreign countries, asking for advise regarding the 

 selection of a rod for casting artificial lures ; -holding 

 those letters in mind, I am going to write for the aid 

 and information of the amateur, discussing in plain 

 language the merits and demerits of the various 

 styles and materials. I trust that the chapter will 

 not prove tedious. 



There has been considerable argument regarding 

 the rise of the short casting rod, and notwithstanding 

 some assertions to the contrary, I am inclined to 

 agree with Mr. Samuel G. Camp's statement that 

 the modern short casting rod had its birth near 

 Chicago. Perhaps it had its rise in Chicago, for 

 thirty years ago Mr. J. M. Clark, then of the 

 "Windy City," now of Kansas City, Mo., had a 

 short rod built for his personal use. In answer to a 

 letter asking for information, Mr. Clark says : 



"The first conception of the Short Bait Casting rod 

 was made for me in 1885 by Fred D. Divine, now the 

 Fred D. Divine Company, of Utica, New York. The 

 rod was made out of lancewood, 6 feet, 3 inches long. 



