116 THE SCIENCE OF DRY FLY FISHING. 



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 breakage. With 

 an eight ounce rod from nine feet to nine feet six inches 

 long, a fly can be cast up to twenty-five yards, a distance 

 sufficient 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 oz. will not be noticed. The reel and spear should 

 balance the length of the rod when grasped by the handle. 



PLIABILITY OF ROD. 



Unless the elasticity be relatively proportioned to the 

 strength or thickness of every part of the rod, an unequal 

 strain must fall on that part in which the springiness is in 

 excess of this relationship. 



Should such a part exist, then that portion of the rod will 

 suffer, and an imperfect action will be the result. Pliancy 



