ACTION OF A PERFECT TROUT ROD 225 



choose to fish. A heavy rod may be useful to a man who- 

 is strong enough to cast with it when it is only required to 

 make a very long cast, or when either from weeds, heavy 

 fish, or owing to the vicinity of dangers, drastic measures 

 have to be adopted after a fish has been hooked, but in 

 my opinion a nine foot six inch single-handed rod is about 

 the average length of a really useful wet or dry fly 

 weapon, and for comfort as well as delicacy the action of 

 such a rod should blend its virtues into those of the 

 forearm. 



It was with these ideas in my mind, and because it 

 appeared to me that a perfect Dry Fly Rod was wanted, 

 that in 1908 I designed the first " Fred G. Shaw " rod, 

 which Messrs. Hardy Bros, eventually succeeded in 

 manufacturing to my satisfaction, and which they continued 

 to make and sell until I reserved to myself alone the privilege 

 of using my name on my own patents and designs. 



