246 FLY-FISHING. 



ARTIFICIAL BAIT AND FLY-FISHING. 



IN fly-fishing, a rod, and a good rod, is one of the 

 prime requisites, upon the excellence of which de- 

 pends, in a great measure, the successful exercise of 

 the angler's skill. An excellent rod may be made of 

 different materials and in different manners, a choice 

 among which will depend upon fancied, more than 

 real superiority ; but each writer has his favorites, 

 and, if able, is entitled to give the reasons for his 

 preference. 



Fly-fishing is mainly confined to salmon and trout- 

 fishing; for these, essentially different implements are 

 required ; for the long casts and heavy play of the 

 former, amid the rapids and cascades of the foaming 

 river, a stout, stiff, two-handed rod is requisite ; 

 while for the feebler efforts and shorter casts of the 

 latter, amid the ripples of the murmuring brook, or 

 upon the placid surface of the quiet pond, a light, 

 single-handed rod is preferable. 



The salmon-rod should be as long and strong as 

 the muscles of the angler will enable him to wield 

 trenchantly all day through, and should have that 

 quick, powerful pliancy that will send the fly with or 

 across the wind a prodigious distance. It is ordi- 

 narily made of ash or hickory for the joints, and 

 bamboo, on account of its lightness, for the tip. 



