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rod is test made of materials similar to those recom- 

 mended for a trouting-rod, only having a heavier 

 but, which never ought to be hollow, nor ought any 

 of the pieces to be joined by brass .sockets, as the 

 brass is liable to split when making a long cast, when 

 considerable exertion is required, and the joints to 

 work loose, in half an hour's play with a wild and 

 strong fish. A salmon rod may be conveniently formed 

 of four lengths; the stock six feet long, of ash or fir; 

 the two next joints, five and a half and five feet 

 respectively; and the top joint three feet and a half, 

 made of some tough and elastic wood, with the 

 extreme end of whalebone or spliced bamboo. Such 

 a rod as this requires only three scares ; and when 

 the angler has his thread and twine for wrapping 

 ready, it may be put together in little more than 

 five minutes. There is no particular charm in the 

 Ien4th of a rod which enables an angler to take sal- 

 mon; and a twenty foot rod only confers power on 

 him who can skilfully use it. Many a good salmon 

 has been killed by a rod five feet shorter ; and when 

 an angler who is trout-fishing perceives a salmon, 

 let him by all means try, if he have good tackle and 

 a salmon fly with hiiTi, to hook the fish, and let him be 

 not deterred from making the attempt on account of 

 the shortness of his rod. Additional patience and 

 unwearying perseverance will not unfrequently en- 

 able a skilful angler to land a salmon of can pounds 

 weight, which has taken a trout-fly, with tackle 

 which a bungler would break in trying to pull oat 



