FISHING-RODS. 19 



so long as it is tolerably pliable, and not less than 

 four yards and a half long, which will answer 

 every purpose. 



But your fly rod in pliability and shape should 

 be unexceptionable ; it should taper from the butt 

 to the top with the greatest truth and nicety, 

 and so should the line taper till you arrive at 

 the fly. Your choice of this rod should be ac- 

 cording to your strength ; a double-handed rod 

 (which for trout and grayling I should never 

 recommend) is all very well for salmon fishing, 

 or for very broad rivers, but would you study 

 "otium cum dignitate," a figure elegant with 

 dignity and ease, to be reflected in the stream, 

 you must abandon the double-handed rod, and 

 leave it for the use of those whose clumsy gait 

 so ill becomes an art acknowledged to be most 

 graceful. 



Your trolling or snapping rod should be four 

 yards and a half long ; the latter lighter and more 

 pliable than the former ; furnished with stiff rings, 

 in order that the line may run through them 

 more freely, and that you may be enabled to 

 throw your bait at a further distance, thirty yards 

 out, if required. In trolling or snapping from a 

 boat on large meres, or from the sides of broad 

 rivers, you will find it a great advantage to be 



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