104 ART OP ANGLIKG. 



. About twelve feet three inches long, 

 and about fourteen ounces in weight. It must not 

 be top heavy, nor it must not have too much play 

 in the lower part, but the play should be just in 

 proportion to the gradual tapering, by which there 

 will be very little spring till after about the third 

 foot of its length. A rod too pliable below is as 

 bad a fault as being too stiff; and from being too 

 small there, is, of course, more liable to be top 

 heavy, which nine rods in ten are. The consequence 

 is, they tire the hand, and do not drop the fly so 

 neatly. I have seen some Irish rods, which, if they 

 had not been too pliant, would have been worth 

 any money. 



" EEEL. Put on your reel with a plate and 

 wax-end, fifteen inches from the bottom ; and handle 

 your rod close below it, keeping the reel uppermost, 

 as the line then lies on, instead of under, your 

 rod, and is, therefore, less likely to strain the top 

 between the rings. The closer the rings are put 

 together on the top, the less chance, of course, you 

 have of straining or breaking it between them. 

 Use a multiplying click reel, without a stop ; and, 

 by not confining it with the hand while throwing, 

 you are sure never to break your rod or line, by 

 happening to raise it suddenly, at the moment you 

 have hooked a large fish or weed. Let your reel be 



