146 TKe Determined Angler 



the fishing rod marked off in inches up to two feet. " 

 John Koltzan. 



Position of the Reel. The reel of a bait-rod should 

 be on the top side of the rod, in front of the handle; 

 that of a fly-rod, on the under side below the handle. 



Cork Handle. To avoid blisters on the hand, have 

 the handle of your rod covered with cork instead of 

 cane, twine, or rubber. It will prevent the hand from 

 slipping, is pleasant to the touch, and very light in 

 weight. 



Smooth Ferrules. Before jointing your rod, oil 

 the male ferrules with vaseline, or by rubbing them on 

 the back of your neck. This will prevent the joints 

 from becoming tight after the day's sport. 



Be Particular. The finer the tackle the fairer the 

 sport. 



Care of the Rod. See that your rod-case is thor- 

 oughly dry before you put your rod in it, and always 

 tie the case-strings loosely or you will have bent tips 

 and joints. 



Tackle Tells. "The quality of gameness in a fish is 

 best determined by the character of the tackle used. 

 A brook trout on a striped bass rod, or a black bass on 

 a tarpon rod, could not, in either case, exhibit its 

 characteristic gameness, or afford any sport to the 

 Angler. Excellent sport with small fishes, however, is 

 now rendered possible owing to the advent of the very 

 light trout rod. It should not be considered beneath 

 the dignity of an Angler to cast the fly for a rock bass, a 

 blue-gill, or a croppie, with a three-ounce rod. Cer- 



