88 FAMILIAR FISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



bamboo rods need the greatest care and attention. 

 Being made of strips usually six cemented to- 

 gether and varnished, they will spread apart, twist, 

 and break if exposed to continued dampness or wet. 



Bethabara is next in cost to the split bamboo, and 

 will range from $6 to $12. By many it is preferred 

 to bamboo. Lancewood and greenheart will average 

 from $2 to $8. Steel rods can be bought at prices 

 ranging from $4 to $12. 



Fly fishing is something to be taken up when all 

 other fishing methods have been learned; therefore 

 a fly rod is the last thing to be purchased. For the 

 beginner a good lancewood rod, weighing from eight 

 to ten ounces and costing $3 to $5, is probably the 

 best one to procure. It is adapted to all kinds of 

 fishing, and will stand considerable strain without 

 breaking. If an English or Nova Scotia rod with 

 wound instead of ferrule joints is preferred, green- 

 heart will probably prove to be the most suitable. 

 However, the question of rods is a debatable one, 

 owing to the many and varied opinions held regard- 

 ing them. Perhaps it is better, therefore, to rest 

 upon the hints given above, and leave the matter of 

 selection to individual preference, aided by the ad- 

 vice of some fisherman. When the rudiments of 

 fishing are once learned the selection of rods becomes 

 entirely a question of personal preference. 



