ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT 37 



tells fearfully upon the angler's arm in fly-fishing. 

 When the tie system is adopted, the splices should 

 be well waxed, as also the thread with which they 

 are tied, otherwise they will be constantly slipping. 

 This mode of joining is objected to by some, on the 

 ground that there is a good deal of time spent in 

 putting the rod up ; but we think much more time 

 will be lost by using a rod with the additional weight 

 necessary to stand brass joints. 



If the angler cannot be troubled to tie the pieces 

 of his rod together, joints of some kind are indis- 

 pensable. The old mode of joining was by screw 

 joints ; but they do not last, and the plain slip joint 

 has entirely superseded them, and is undoubtedly 

 the most convenient and lasting method of putting 

 a rod together. The pieces are the better of being 

 tied together, as, if they are not, they may slip. For 

 this purpose, small wire catches should be put at 

 the bottom and top of each piece. 



A well-made rod, when put up, should yield slightly 

 from a little above the hand to the top, and if in- 

 tended to be used with one hand should balance 

 about a foot above the hand ; if intended to be used 

 with both hands, about a foot farther up. The 

 facility of casting with a well-balanced rod is very 

 great, as the part of the rod below the hand acts as 

 a lever. 



The reel is usually attached to the rod by rings, 

 which is undoubtedly the most convenient plan, as 

 it can be taken off at pleasure. In a one-handed rod, 

 the reel should be as close to the butt end as possible, 



