290 THE SALMON FLY. 



favour of prejudices, either for undue length or undue shortness. For 

 myself, I am inclined to think tha, for general purposes, having in view, 

 on the one hand, the length of line, it is possible to cast by any of the 

 methods with advantage, and on the other, the time occupied in killing 

 a fish, that 17 feet 4 inches in greenheart, and 17 feet 8 inches in built 

 cane is the most serviceable length for Salmon in river fishing. For 

 lake fishing for Salmon a much shorter rod is an indispensable condition. 

 The bottom joint should carry three rings, the lower one being 2 feet 

 from the upper end of the winch fitting. The old-fashioned drop-ring 

 should be discarded for the upright revolving ring, having phosphor- 

 bronze centres, with brass wire to prevent rust. . Perhaps for this 

 improvement a small extra expense is incurred at first, but the 

 diminished wear of the line a perfectly natural consequence assuredly 

 makes revolving rings the cheaper article in the long run. The chief 

 object of the Angler in this connection is to secure a free run through the 

 rings so as to be able to " shoot " a good length of line. By shooting 

 line (fully described elsewhere) is meant the useful practice of holding 

 lightly between the thumb and forefinger of the upper hand, several coils 

 of the line either drawn in from the water, or direct from the winch, 

 and letting them go free to be taken out by the momentum given 

 to the cast in the thrashdown. 



On the question of ferrules, little need be said. 



Serrated ferrules, graduating as they do the strain that arises at the 

 junction of the pliant wood and rigid ferrule joint, have been highly 

 spoken of and strongly recommended. Good sheet brass, hammered 

 until it becomes almost as hard as steel, is the best material, and, in my 

 judgment, no ferrules equal those made on steel triblets, but they should 

 only slightly taper and have bell-mouths. 



The chief point for the Angler's consideration is that, as ferrules 

 wear loose with lapse of time, the rod is apt to meet with serious 

 injury if used in that condition. To detect loose ferrules put the rod 

 together and test each joint in the following way : The rod is " played " 

 by one hand, whilst the forefinger and thumb of the other hand hold it 

 at the union of wood and ferrule. In this way any shakiness is easily 

 detected. Put on with Le Page's glue, they seldom require attention. 



