" The Anglers Equipment" 143 



oceans of current angling literature. Being 

 in the habit of having his fishing-rods built 

 by a certain maker, he naturally is in the 

 custom of mentioning that maker's name, in 

 connection with his sport. No good angler 

 is such a fool as to continue using weapons 

 made by any one rod-maker, for twenty, 

 thirty, or forty years, unless he finds them 

 serviceable and reliable. Now, observe how 

 it works out. Mr. Tyro reads the book, or, 

 it may be, the article. He then goes to 

 Mr. Cotton- Walton's rod-maker and orders 

 a rod ; but he does so without even 

 mentioning Mr. Cotton-Walton's name. 

 What man of the world thinks it a likely 

 thing that any rod-maker turns out all his 

 rods to one pattern or " style.'' The thing 

 is ridiculous on the face of it. 



Mr. Tyro comes in, as a mere stranger, 

 and begins turning over and trying rod after 

 rod, till at last he " thinks" he has got one 

 to his mind, is it in human nature for the 

 salesman, however honest he may be, to 

 say to him, " I think, sir, you have not 

 made the wisest selection," and thus, per- 

 chance, miss the sale of a rod ? I feel sure 

 that the tired-out, though polite, fishing- 

 tackle maker, is often very heartily sick of 

 the whole wearisome business. 



