FLY-ROD FOR TROUT FISHING 21 



the " whip " of the rod, the elastic action that sends 

 the flies out straight and far is lacking. Fly-casting 

 is a matter of the wrist aided by the rod, and if the 

 rod fails to do its part it is obvious that poor casting 

 only can result, and casting that if long continued 

 grows very tiring to the angler. Failing proper rod 

 action, strong-arm casting must be resorted to. It is 

 good exercise, but best avoided if possible. 



Remember when testing the rod for pliancy we 

 will talk later about testing the rod that a rod 

 which has a tendency toward being whippy will in 

 time develop that characteristic very strongly. The 

 rod which inclines to stiffness, not actual inelasticity, 

 but a good strong suggestion of backbone, is the one 

 you want. It will in a short time with a moderate 

 use, come down to the desired pliancy, and it will stay 

 there. The use of a heavy line will improve the cast- 

 ing of a stiff rod quite measurably. If you find your- 

 self with a rod on your hands that has this objection, 

 use a heavy line and, when you can, cast a long line. 

 The long heavy line tends to produce action in the 

 rod, and in due time, if the rod is not incurable, it may 

 work down to a decent degree of pliancy. 



On the other hand a whippy rod can be considerably 

 improved either by additional windings of silk, or by 

 removing the windings from the entire rod and re- 

 placing them at closer intervals. It should also be 

 noted that a stiff rod, apart from the objection that 

 with it good casting is impossible, is also undesirable 



