278 THE SALMON FLY. 



Fishermen not only may but actually do acquire a taste for an 

 inferior style of rod ; that is to say, they accustom themselves to a style 

 of rod built on the lines of those used with supposed infallibility by their 

 ancestors, and their confidence in it has not been shaken even by the 

 periodically frequent fractures of tops, and the yet more frequent loss of 

 favourite flies. They will continue stoutly to affirm the style is best, but 

 fail to make good the affirmation by sound logic, or acceptable facts. 



But it will not do roughly to over-ride prejudices of this description ; 

 for if we put ourselves in the owner's place it is easy to imagine with 

 what outraged feelings the curt contempt of some superior critic for the 

 " sacred heirloom " style of rod would be received. This same heirloom 

 is of good hickory, light in hand, costly, and well finished. Enough line 

 may be got out with it to kill some fish, and the owner is accustomed, nay 

 attached, to it. Though beaten in his efforts to reach distant lay-byes, 

 the sentiment of many years hangs about this companion of his in so 

 many happy scenes and successful days. In the consciousness of all 

 these, its virtues and deeds, is it reasonable to expect him to stand quietly 

 in the shoes of stoic indifference, and while remembering its pleasant 

 associations, to hear his favourite rod abused and damned off-hand ? 



There is much to be said for the inborn respect of the Britisher for 

 antiquity. But in Salmon-fishing ours is an age of reason, and we must 

 be prepared for a quick march towards the absolutely, the ideally best 

 style of rod. In short, sound reasoning on the facts, and not taste, 

 however legitimately and respectably begotten, should be our guiding 

 light. We must fall back on open facts. 



The question is first, "What is the best all-round style of rod?" 

 and then, " What modification or adaptation of this is best in each 

 individual Fisherman's circumstance ? " 



In discussing this question in a preliminary way, I seek not only to 

 take up unassailable ground in giving expression to the convictions born 

 of my own experience, but also, whether I personally am right or wrong 

 as to the style of rod I advocate, to arouse some of the rest-and-be- 

 thankful school to the necessity either for progress towards a better 

 weapon than the old-fashioned one, or for a justification on grounds 

 other and better than those at present commonly held for the continued 



