AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



Southern dry-fly rivers is an interesting commentary on 

 powerful rods and heavy tapered lines. (Fig. 1.) 



It is a limber actioned rod, 

 giving a peculiar broken-backed 

 sensation in the hand, and casts 

 a remarkably long and delicate 

 line with a moderate taper and 

 the minimum of work. 



In the United States heavy 

 double-tapered lines are, not used, 

 but on the contrary the weight is 

 obtained by using a thin closely 

 woven line, of which the weight 

 is great though the calibre is but 

 little ; consequently the American 

 fly-rod is light, and strength is 

 not so much sought after as re- 

 siliency. How these fine lines 

 would act for dry-fly work I cannot 

 say, but for the American wet-fly 

 trouting they are perfect if fitted 

 to a suitable rod. They would 

 certainly require a thorough dress- 

 ing of beeswax and vaseline twice 

 a day if not oftener, as their weight 

 causes them to sink. During the 

 last few seasons I have adopted 

 when the day has been at all 

 propitious a level dressed G. 

 line, and have found it excellent, 

 both for mayfly and other dry-fly 

 work. Of course, I use with it a 

 very light springy rod, preferably 

 an American-built cane ten-foot 

 rod made by Leonard, or the Gem, 

 made by Messrs. Hardy, Alnwick. 

 (Fig. 2.) Should there be a heavy down stream wind, I 

 carry a lightly-tapered line (H.E.H. or I.F.I., Fig. 3) and 

 use a three-piece built cane ten-foot rod which is wonder- 

 fully powerful. I find, however, that with the wind blowing 



Fi*. 1. The Harden Fly 

 Rod, 10ft. Sin. 



