90 TROUT FISHING 



twice as large as the stout end of such tapering 

 lines as are sold in London shops ; then, for the 

 next ten, or fifteen, a gradual decrease of size should 

 take place, till at the last six yards, the tapering 

 is sudden. We should have a line with all the ad- 

 vantages of lightness of a fine one, together with 

 the strength and weight of a stout coarse line, 

 one we can employ with equal ease in fine fishing 

 in quiet water, in brook fishing, and in broad 

 stream fishing, in windy weather. 



Of reels, I prefer a stout brass one of large 

 diameter, but narrow from side to side ; the effect 

 of this, of course, is, by enlarging the circle on 

 which the line winds, to proportionally increase 

 the rapidity of drawing in the line ; the click is 

 a very useful addition ; the stop, of little service. 

 The multiplying reel is so often getting out of 

 order, that it is more plague in its annoyance, by 

 getting the cogs fixed, than profit in quickness 

 of getting in a long line. 



We must now say something about rods, and 

 this something I shall shorten as much as possible 

 so far as broad stream fishing is concerned. Every 

 rod maker imagines his own rods superior to any 

 others, and each has some peculiar, fanciful whim, 

 in which he believes his excellence to consist ; but, 

 as the maker and the user of the rod are not often 

 the same individual, I am afraid rods are looked 

 upon too much as articles for sale, than for use are 

 manufactured often rather to make money than 

 catch fish ; and in being recommended a rod, the 

 brass fittings, splicing, spare tops, and hollow butt, 



