TACKLE AND FISHING GEAR. 69 



foot fisherman to wield it with comfort, and I am quite satis- 

 fied that for all ordinary purposes the salmon fisher would get 

 more comfort and more sport, too, with a rod such as that I 

 have described than with a longer and more fatiguing and 

 unwieldy weapon. . . . 



It should be borne in mind as a mechanical axiom in this 

 matter of the length of rod, that exactly in proportion as you 

 gain in casting power by the increased leverage, so (the motive 

 force being equal) do you lose in the propelling power by which 

 only the leverage can be utilised the practical deduction from 

 which proposition is that every man has a length of rod exactly 

 proportioned to his physical strength a rod out of which, that 

 is, he can get the maximum of casting force compatible with 

 sustained muscular effort and that it should be his object to 

 ascertain what that length is. Bearing in mind the mechanical 

 argument, I am disposed to think that a shorter and more 

 powerful rod might in many cases be substituted with advan- 

 tage for a longer and lighter weapon. 



However, as I have said, this is a matter of individual taste, 

 and must be left to the appreciation of individual salmon fishers. 

 Till we have our fly rods made entirely of steel an improve- 

 ment which I take it is only a question of time, as it is sure to 

 come sooner or later the steel-centred split-cane rod above 

 described is probably as perfect a weapon as any fly fisher need 

 desire. I might mention that I have had a shorter top made 

 for my rod which turns it into an excellent rod for pike fishing 

 or spinning for salmon. 



Finding from a series of experiments that a rod with a thick 

 top joint had a great advantage over a finely pointed and 

 tapered one in casting a heavy salmon line, I had a three- 

 jointed greenheart red built for me by Farlow, 'to special 

 order,' as a grilse or light salmon rod. As I think it may be 

 pronounced on trial a success, I give the measurements for the 

 benefit of such of my brother fishermen as may, like myself, 

 prefer a short rod in salmon and grilse fishing. The following 

 are the dimensions : 



