102 TEOUT FISHING 



means easy to remedy the effect, and the misfor- 

 tune is a common one, it may well be inferred 

 that the cause is not so well understood, nor has 

 been so well considered as its importance de- 

 mands. Importance, I repeat ; for with such a 

 rod on a small stream, where it is absolutely 

 necessary to strike instantly and sharply, one 

 may plainly see that our success will be doubtful, 

 since we cannot correctly estimate, and so school 

 our arms with the precise amount of force to be 

 applied, as to avoid fracture of our tackle, or 

 rupture of the fish's mouth, and be sure of bag- 

 ging our fish. On large streams, 'tis true, in 

 striking, it is of less importance; but in playing our 

 fish we shall discover such a weak-backed rod 

 a very serious inconvenience it wabbles about 

 and permits the fish in his struggles to command 

 our hand and control the rod, as much as we 

 should steady the latter and direct the former. 



I cannot enter into all the detail of considera- 

 tions respecting this subject, which is one of great 

 moment, as far as the convenience of the fisherman 

 is concerned. I hope I have pointed out the most 

 common and most important errors which expe- 

 rience will disclose in rods ; the explanations given 

 will be obvious enough to any one who will take the 

 trouble of trying the effect of the action of rods, 

 and having perceived them, he will be able to satisfy 

 himself more easily in purchasing rods from shops; 

 and remembering that all rods should taper equally 

 and with precise gradation from the larger to the 

 smaller end, he will judge of their power; and 



