6 HINTS FOR BEGINNERS. 



For initial outfit regard forty or fifty shillings 

 as necessary, sixteen of which can be expended 

 upon a neat greenheart rod of 9 feet 6 inches 

 or ten feet avoid anything an inch longer 

 of three joints with a spare top the pair of 

 which fit into a hollow bamboo case. This 

 latter is fitted at the lower end to receive the 

 screw of a collapsible landing net which can be 

 adjusted on trial at the time of purchase. Let 

 the rod err on the side of lightness and stiffness 

 and so save an aching wrist and a wobbly 

 unmanageable motion. It should have fixed 

 upright rings through which a line runs easily 

 and without kinking. See that the butt of the 

 rod contains a threaded hole for receiving the 

 screw of a spike and that this spike is contained 

 in the jean case in fact see that it fits. To 

 use a rod without being able to spike it into 

 the grass usually means that you or a friendly 

 companion or cow will tread upon the middle 

 joint as it lies in the meadow while you are 

 looking for a fly or the pair of scissors you have 

 dropped. 



A reel will cost seven to ten shillings; and 

 the centre of it instead of consisting of a single 

 bar of a quarter-inch* diameter (off which a line 

 will never run smoothly or easily) should be 

 flanged by five or six bars forming a drum 

 with a diameter of ij to 2 inches. This 

 advantage is apparent both for ready winding 

 and for keeping the line well aired. Reels of 

 the plain centre bar variety are usually 

 ' advised ' to beginners by shopmen who find 



