THE SALMON ANGLER'S OUTFIT 



joints, the ingenuity of manufacturers would prove equal to meeting the 

 demand. At present the parts of a split-cane are united by some kind of 

 patent lock-fast joint, which is free from all the objectionable qualities of 

 the old slip ferrules, except that inseparable from the insertion of rigid 

 lengths of metal in a rod which ought to possess uninterrupted gradation 

 of flexibility from butt to point. 



The rings which convey the line from the reel to the point of the rod are 

 the source of some trouble. In the old pattern of salmon-rod they used to 

 hang loose, but standing rings are now almost universal. There can be 

 no doubt that they are preferable, were it only for the advantage they afford 

 of allowing loose line to be released from the hand in order to obtain 

 greater length in casting; but, being rigid, they have an objectionable 

 propensity to getting knocked off in contact with rocks in fishing or 

 with heavy luggage in travelling. The best are of the upright "snake" 

 pattern, made of hardened steel lacquered. 



Owing to the steel -like elasticity and strength of greenheart, the butt 

 is made far more slender than was possible with ash or hickory; where- 

 fore a sheathing of cork over the grip will be found a great addition to 

 comfort in handling. 



The rod may be stained to any colour, or left the natural light yellow of 

 the greenheart. Each one may indulge his prepossession or prejudice; 

 for my own part I have a preference for a very dark olive stain. 



A good rod ought to last a lifetime if reasonable means are taken to 

 keep it good. Do not tie it up too tightly in its cover, nor lean it up 

 against a wall during the close season. Every careful fisher should 

 have a rod -rack in some cool quarter of his house, where the rods may 

 either be suspended from hooks by loops at the end of the covers, or 

 rested horizontally on pegs. Never allow a good rod to become an 

 indifferent one for want of a fresh coat of varnish; and if you wish to 

 avoid disappointment and discomfort, let this be applied by a professional 

 tackle maker of repute. 



OLD AND NEW REELS 



The reel is second in importance to no part of the angler's outfit, for if 

 that goes wrong all is wrong — ^probably beyond repair at the waterside. 

 Izaak Walton never saw a fishing -reel, so it may have been just as well 

 for his peace of mind that, as may be inferred from the nonsense he wrote 



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