PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



rod is unable to do this, the assistance of the 

 middle is called in, and sometimes a portion of 

 the butt. This is a very ancient as well as a 

 very common error most of the books on 

 Angling recommending that the rod should 

 play down to the hand. 



Generally speaking, a long line is not required 

 in Trout-fishing, except in large rivers, as the 

 Teviot, Tweed, Wharfe, Herefordshire Wye, 

 etc., etc. ; and in cases of this kind, it is much 

 better to have a light two-handed rod of sixteen 

 or seventeen feet, as the character of the fishing 

 is completely changed, and, instead of throwing 

 at points^ the streams are swept by successive 

 throws, advancing a step between each, not 

 unlike mowing on a gigantic scale. In this 

 kind of fishing, comparatively little skill or judg- 

 ment is required. In Boat Fishing, a long rod 

 and short line, and also an extra long shaft for 

 the landing-net, are very advantageous, as with 

 an expert lander the time and trouble of winding 

 and unwinding the line are spared. 



The fly-rod proper should have nearly all its 

 play in the one-third part next the top. This 

 arrangement will be found to be attended by 

 several advantages, ist. The line can be thrown 

 much quicker ; and it is generally desirable to 

 cover a feeding fish as soon as you can. 2nd. 

 It requires less room to turn, amongst wood, or 

 with bushes, or high banks, or rank vegetation 

 behind. 3rd. By the rod not following the 

 line so far, the slack line is got up by the time 

 the flies are well on the water, and the Angler 



