226 FLY FISHING 



landing many fish of all weights up to ten 

 pounds, and though I have worn out one or 

 two tops, not one has ever broken suddenly in 

 the act of fishing, and they have stood faithfully 

 against the most fearful shocks caused by weeds 

 or bushes in the act of casting. It is this 

 toughness of split cane which, in my opinion, 

 settles the question decisively in its favour, and 

 though after several seasons' hard work in all 

 sorts of weather and in contending against 

 down stream winds a split cane top may weaken, 

 mine have always given me ample warning : 

 never in trout fishing, since I have used split 

 cane, have I lost a minute's fishing by the break- 

 ing of any part of my rod. Split cane is the 

 most staunch of all materials; like an old and 

 faithful servant, it is incapable of treachery or 

 sudden change, and when it fails it does so 

 gradually. My own original split cane rod has 

 become a trusted companion, used to all winds 

 and weathers, to burns, chalk streams and rivers of 

 many kinds ; to trout, sea trout and grilse ; doing 

 all that is asked of it, having more than once 

 risen to the occasion of playing a salmon, and 

 remained straight erect and fit after landing it. 



