PRACTICAL ESSAY. 99 



or near the bottom with a bait ; spinning about mid-water or near 

 the surface with a small fish, natural or artificial, as bait ; and fly- 

 fishing at the surface with real or artificial flies. Before a man can 

 fish he must have tackle, and the first essentials are the rod, reel, 

 line, and hooks. 



Rods vary in nature according to the kind of fishing to be pur- 

 sued with them. Fly-fishing needs a flexible and pliant rod; 

 bottom-fishing, one stouter; and spinning or trolling for pike, a 

 very stiff and strong rod. If the angler has a limited purse, he 

 had better consider what kind of fishing he must go in for, and 

 buy his rod accordingly. If he lives among trout streams, a fly 

 rod is what he requires, and the substitution of a stiffer top will 

 enable him to fish worm with it. If he lives among slow rivers 

 or lakes, he will probably want a bottom-fishing rod also, and the 

 substitution of a short stiff top will turn it into a fair pike rod. 

 General rods which seek to combine all requisites in one rod are 

 in general a delusion and a snare. 



Many woods are used in the making of rods ; the principal are 

 hickory, greenheart, bamboo, and ash. 



For a fly rod, and indeed all rods, ash for the butt, hickory for 

 the middle joints, and greenheart for the top is a good combination. 

 For bottom rods, bamboo is excellent. 



Unless the angler is poor, he will find it better to go to a good 

 tackle shop, and, stating what kind of fishing he wants the rod for, 

 trust to the advice of the tradesman, and his own perception which 

 rod suits his hand the best. Cheap rods, however, are a mockery, 

 certain to fail their owner in time of need ; and for those who can- 

 not afford to buy good ones, why, let them try and make one. 



A single-handed trout fly rod should be from 12 to 13 feet long, 

 according to the length and strength of the fisher : a double-handed 

 rod is a little longer. Salmon rods are from 17 to 20 feet; pike 

 12 feet; and ordinary bottom rods 14 to 17 feet, or even more. 

 Except on pike rods, the rings are made to fall flat ; but it is safer to 

 have them always fixed upright, even on fly rods. 



The reel on which the spare line is wound is usually of brass ; 



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