100 FLIES, FLY-DRESSING, ETC. 



by four or five lengths of picked gut, and the 

 whole line should increase in thickness gradually 

 from the flies to the rod \ it is a great assistance 

 to casting. 



The only point connected with this subject which 

 remains to be considered is the rod, and it is a 

 very important one. The rod may be used either 

 double or single-handed. If the river is large, and 

 the angler is not wading, a double-handed rod 

 might be advisable ; if he is wading, even in a 

 large river, a single-handed one will be sufficient ; 

 and in all rivers which can be commanded from 

 bank to bank, either by wading or otherwise, it 

 should always be used. For fly-fishing, where 

 light throwing and quick striking are indispensable, 

 a double-handed rod is an unmanageable weapon. 

 With it the angler can neither cast with so much 

 certainty, nor strike so instantaneously when he 

 gets a rise, as with a light single-handed rod. It 

 is also exceedingly difficult to regulate with it the 

 amount of force necessary to fix the hook, the 

 force necessary to move the rod being exceedingly 

 apt to tear small hooks away from their hold. 

 Besides which, it takes a much longer time to cast, 

 and where repeated casting is necessary, this be- 

 comes a serious objection. 



A light stiff single-handed rod, about ten feet 

 long, will be amply sufficient for most waters. 

 Those accustomed to use rods from twelve to 

 thirteen feet may think this much too short, but a 

 stiff rod of this length will throw a line farther 



