TACKLE 129 



and that its advantage on the days, when one has 

 to contend with a strong down stream wind in 

 dry fly fishing, is very great. 



In all angling, but especially in dry fly angling, 

 there is no greater misery than to be using a 

 whippy rod. It never for a moment lets you 

 forget its inefficiency : inaccurate even on still 

 days, it seems to take a pleasure on rough days 

 in watching the wind sweep away the line in the 

 air, or blow it back. When you attempt to 

 strike a fish, the silly top bends nearly to the 

 water before it executes the strike, and when 

 you have hooked a trout you are in despair at 

 the rod's weakness and want of control. Take 

 care, if a rod errs at all, that it does so on the 

 side of stiffness. 



So far this chapter has dealt only with the 

 absolutely essential parts of an angler's equipment. 

 There remain other things of which some are 

 indispensable on certain occasions, but not always, 

 while others are merely convenient. Landing 

 nets and gaffs present little difficulty whenever 

 the angler has an attendant ; but one of the 

 great charms of angling is the complete inde- 

 pendence which an angler feels when fishing 



