26 FLOATING FLIES 



carefully-selected split-bamboo, in six strips; in 

 length suited to the character of the water and 

 the fishing upon and for which it will be used, 

 having good balance (not heavy in or out of 

 hand), strength, adequate casting power to- 

 gether with a pleasant and resilient action, a 

 speedy not a slow rod, not too pliant nor too 

 stiff, and, finally, beyond reproach in the matter 

 of guides, windings, handgrasp material, fer- 

 rules, and so on. 



The sportsman familiar with the diversity 

 of fishing-rod materials will at once note the 

 implied elimination of rods constructed of the 

 various solid woods, such as bethabara, green- 

 heart, lancewood, dagama, and others, as well 

 as of split-cane rods of other than six-strip con- 

 struction, such as the eight-strip, steel-centered, 

 double-built, and so on. It is not my purpose 

 to consider at length historically, theoretically, 

 or practically, the matter of fishing-rod mate- 

 rials as compared one with the other matters 

 quite fully discussed in my volume on " Fishing 

 Kits and Equipment." Rather it seems best to 

 state once and for all that past experience has 

 proved and present use serves only to empha- 

 size the fact that there is no better fly-rod, all 

 things considered, for the trout fly-fisherman 

 than the one of six strips of cane, rent from 



