38 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



as its leverage will be greater there ; in a double- 

 handed rod, sufficient room must be left below the 

 reel for the hand. When the weight of the butt end 

 and reel together are not in themselves sufficient to 

 balance a rod, lead should be added till it balance at 

 the proper place. 



Rings are indispensable to a rod in order to convey 

 the line from the reel to the point. A difference of 

 opinion exists as to whether they should be fixed or 

 movable. For our part, if they could be fixed so as 

 not to move, we would prefer them that .way, as 

 they let off* the line much more easily ; but they 

 generally have just sufficient stiffness to be trouble- 

 some. When they come into contact with anything 

 they are knocked over and remain so ; and unless 

 the angler notice it, the first fish will break his line. 



When treating of the different branches of angling, 

 we will mention the size and description of rod most 

 suitable for each ; but the size of rod we have 

 advocated for fly-fishing is so much shorter than 

 usual, that it may with great propriety be objected 

 to, as being unsuitable for any other kind of fishing. 

 To obviate this as much as possible, we have a joint 

 made in our fly-rod about a foot from the butt end, 

 and carry with us a spare butt of about four feet 

 in length. This can be attached to the basket with- 

 out the angler suffering the least inconvenience, or 

 may be made with joints, which will render it more 

 portable. When wishing to change from fly to bait, 

 we take off the short butt and put on the long one, 

 and have then a rod suitable for any purpose. 



