Salmon Fishing. 1 3 



that nothing suits me so well now as a light, 

 stiff, seventeen-foot rod. I never could endure 

 a whippy one, since in my changes I got hold of 

 a rod that delighted me beyond measure the 

 first day I tried it, when all things were serene, 

 and the Wind and weather favourable. Not so, 

 however, when I sallied forth again, and a brisk 

 wind was blowing dead in my teeth, and my 

 frantic attempts to get the line out forced the 

 very top to dip in the water. After so complete 

 a failure on that day, I determined never to try 

 such a tool again. 



There is some difference of opinion, which is 

 the best material for a salmon-rod. For a four- 

 jointed one, I prefer an ash or hickory butt, 

 the two next pieces of greenheart, and the top 

 of lancewood and splitcane. I have lately 

 handled rods of blue mahoo wood, but though 

 pretty to the eye, and wonderfully light, they 

 appear to me to be deficient in power and stiff- 

 ness for windy weather. 



How often have races, upon which thousands 



