RODS AND TACKLE 187 



should say that, although lightness in a fly rod 

 generally counts for ease, it should not be too light 

 to throw a good standard fly line such as the 

 Corona. 



A line that can be cast into the teeth of a strong 

 wind is not light. Therefore the rod should be 

 heavy enough to carry it. The reel and line should 

 balance the otherwise perfect, but naked, rod. Too 

 light a reel will make the rod feel top heavy. On 

 the other hand, if there is too much weight in the 

 reel for the rod the hand will not be in feeling 

 touch with the top. The reel and line clothe the 

 bare rod, but are more important in regard to satis- 

 factory fit, from a fishing point of view, than the 

 clothes of the fishermen. 



Some men find that a good second half of their 

 fishing joy lies in making their own rods and tackle. 

 Since the making of my first rod, already men- 

 tioned, I have made a round dozen. They were 

 round enough, and gave me no end of pleasure 

 in the making. The regular rod makers, however, 

 beat the amateur every time. Their rods are built 

 to an exquisite perfection, and are models of 

 skilled craftsmanship. 



Nets, panniers, casts, tackle, flies, all come, how- 

 ever, more within the realm of amateur ability than 

 rods. The various parts are easily obtained. 



