152 THE PKOPER DAPING-ROD. 



firm rod of twelve, thirteen, or fourteen feet, 

 with a very stiff top (a light, long minnow-spin- 

 ning rod will be a good substitute), is necessary 

 for dibbing or daping ; the length to be suited to 

 the situation ; if it be a very close and confined 

 one, eleven or twelve feet is sufficient, but we 

 rather recommend that the rod be of the general 

 length, and that the reel, instead of being attached 

 to the butt, be fastened on the second joint, when, 

 by taking off the butt-end, the rod can be short- 

 ened as occasion suits. A reel is not thought 

 requisite by the North Country Angler, but it is 

 evident that in no fishing is it more wanted than 

 in this, where it is required to lengthen and shorten 

 the line according to circumstances ; as, for in- 

 stance, where; from a length of seven or eight 

 yards, it must be reduced to one, or even less, 

 and sometimes even to be wound up altogether, 

 that it may be insinuated through trees and 

 bushes ; and in such cases how can it be so well 

 done as by a reel ? " 



The above question the Northern Angler 

 answers thus : " Your line should not be above 

 a yard long, and, where there is some difficulty 

 in getting your rod-top through the bushes, not 

 above half a yard, which, when baited, you may 

 wrap loosely seven or eight times about the rod- 

 top, and when you have thrust it beyond the 

 bush, turn your rod round as many times, and 



