140 FISHING TACKLE 



cannot do with a heavy rod. The middle joint 

 should be strong, and the tip of slow rather 

 than quick taper. Of the two, a rod with stiff 

 butt, and one with apparently too much butt 

 action, choose the latter. Give no heed to the 

 weight of the rod, save that it should in a 

 measure correspond with your strength. Mere 

 weight signifies little in the unlimited rod, and 

 one weighing 9 ounces may suit you better than 

 one of ii or 12 ounces. 



In selecting the rod with which I have done 

 my best general average distance casting, I did 

 so with the intention of trying a lighter one than 

 any of the four rods that I had used during 

 several seasons. The one I finally selected had 

 very slow action, and seemed to weigh less than 

 ten ounces. In practice it did not tire my arm, 

 would lift a very long line, and one day I 

 weighed it The old rods weighed 12, 11%, 

 12, and ii J4 ounces respectively; the new one 

 ounces! 



For greater convenience in stripping the line, 

 the lowermost, or hand guide, should be thirty 

 to thirty-six inches from the butt of the rod. It 

 is well to have a hand guide of phosphor bronze, 

 steel, or agate, as this guide is subjected to ex- 

 cessive wear. I prefer bronze for the reason 

 that agates are so easily broken. And agate 



