68 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



spring of the rod, since it is this spring rather than the 

 muscular effort upon which we rely to project the fly. 

 The difference is that of throwing an apple, for exam- 

 ple, by hand, and casting it from the end of a flexible 

 stick. On the other hand, the rod must not be over- 

 weighted, since then control of both the back and for- 

 ward casts is in measure lost and they become uncertain, 

 particularly if the caster is hampered by a wind. It is 

 no pleasant surprise to be struck in the face by one's 

 own flies on the back cast, for even if the point of the 

 hook be escaped the impact will remind one of the sting 

 of a bean from a bean-shooter. 



Another thing must be taken into consideration. The 

 load upon a rod varies, of course, with the length of 

 line cast. Therefore, for any given rod, the best size of 

 line is a matter of compromise. Taking all these things 

 into consideration, if we say that the line best fits a rod 

 with which one can cast thirty-five or forty feet most 

 easily, we shall have a very fair working rule. 



Nothing makes more difference in the pleasure of 

 fly-fishing than this adjustment of line to rod. When 

 in harmony they work together as though themselves 

 almost instinct with life. The flies flit backward and 

 forward with hardly a conscious effort on the part of 

 the angler, though wholly obedient to his will. Like 

 turning a corner on a bicycle, it seems to go itself as 

 and where desired. On the other hand, few spectacles 

 in fly-fishing are more pitiable to see than one usually 

 a beginner who should have every encouragement en- 

 deavoring to cast a light line with a stiff rod. The less 

 he accomplishes the more he exerts himself, and the 

 more he exerts himself the less he accomplishes. It 

 looks so easy for others, yet seems so impossible for him. 



