TOURNAMENT LINES 119 



salmon rod length to 15 feet. The object was 

 to fix on a reasonable length, and to encourage 

 salmon anglers to 'use thejr fishing rods in 

 contests. Until then one could go into a salmon 

 event with a bean pole, if he cared to, or use 

 one of the ridiculous 18- or 20- foot English 

 rods, weighing several pounds. That the 15- 

 foot rule is a good one has been proved on 

 several occasions, when casters have, with rods 

 of this length, exceeded the best records ever 

 made by Britishers with rods of any length. 

 In fact, our cousins across the water have 

 never made much of a showing in distance fly- 

 casting. Perhaps this accounts for the efforts 

 some of them make to poke fun at our tourna- 

 ment fly-rods. 



That salmon casting is not a giant's game 

 is shown by the excellent records made by men 

 far under the average in height and weight. 

 But salmon rods are costly, and few individuals 

 care to purchase rods solely for use in two or 

 three contests yearly. Where clubs furnish these 

 rods, however, as some do, the contests are 

 always well patronized. These rods weigh 

 from 24 to 28 ounces. 



The five-ounce rod being an excellent one to 

 start with, let us see what you can do with it. 



The first thing to be provided is a line. You 



