6 THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 



When put together it should be nearly as 

 straight as one joint, and so constructed that 

 it shall be very stiff, and yet very pliable. 

 The superiority of such a rod over one of 

 another kind will be seen in many respects. 

 First, it will be very light in the hand, and 

 with it you will be able to strike your fish 

 with the greatest quickness and precision. 

 Secondly, when you strike, it will not break 

 your hair line, as a heavy one would be likely 

 to do. And, thirdly, when you have hooked 

 your fish, it will so give to his pulling that 

 your line will not break, though it should be 

 a roach of the greatest weight they run. 



THE LINE. 



Your line should always be single hair, of 

 sorrel or white colour, (we prefer the former,) 

 and should be very fine at the bottom ; espe- 

 cially the piece on which the hook is tied, which 

 should be also perfectly straight, round, and 

 transparent, so that the water shall not bead 

 on it, for if it do the fish will not touch it. 

 The top piece, on which is your float, should 

 be the coarsest and strongest, so that if you 

 break you may not lose your float, and also to 



