THE MAKE OF THE SIXGLE-HAXD ROD. 143 



simply prefer a double-handed rod at once. The above- 

 named rods, which are a good deal used now, are so small 

 in the but, and so top-heavy, that they are to me entirely 

 detestable, and I would not fish with one of them if it 

 would throw one hundred yards of line. I like plenty of 

 substance in the but to grasp, and then I am sure that any 

 weight in reason which may be thrown into the upper 

 joints will be carried comfortably. 



To get at a fair medium size for a single-handed rod, I 

 would say that probably a rod of twelve feet, or there- 

 abouts, will suit the generality of anglers sufficiently well. 

 Then comes the question of pliability. Some anglers 

 prefer a very pliable rod, others a very stiff one ; some 

 a heavy rod and some a light one. For very light flies, 

 delicate casting, and horsehair points, or casting lines, 

 it is better to err on the side of pliability than the 

 reverse ; but when the trout run above half a pound in 

 weight, and the stream is rough or otherwise dangerous, 

 it will be as well to eschew horsehair. The novice 

 certainly should commence with gut, if he would save 

 himself endless breakages, losses of fish and flies, and 

 interminable vexations. When he is au fait with that, 

 if he chooses he can come to hair. A very stiff rod is use- 

 ful under some circumstances, but is very apt to snap off 

 flies ; and, though desirable in windy weather, in moderate 

 weather it will not cast so long or light a line as a fairly 

 pliable rod. I like a rod which is neither too stiff nor too 

 whippy, but of moderate pliability, so that it will cast 

 comfortably a midge fly for a long throw without danger 

 of flicking it off, or will lift a pound trout over a run of 

 weeds when you want to get out of difficulties. It must be 

 remembered here that the play of a rod is acted upon more 

 or less by the weight of the line, and a stiff rod may be 

 made more pliable by a heavier line ; as a rule, however, 

 these two important articles should be carefully adapted 



