SPINNING AND GENERAL RODS. 283 



Some prefer hickory because of its alleged superior 

 strength over cane. Good cane is equally as 

 strong, and so much lighter that you may use a 

 very long rod made of it much longer than if 

 made of hickory. The rings must be large and 

 upright, and to render the rod portable can be 

 made to take off and on. The trolling rod should 

 be made of the same material, but stouter and 

 stiffer, as a good spinning rod should play down 

 towards the hand. 



A general rod of hickory is useful for its porta- 

 bility. It should be fifteen feet in length and 

 have on an average four or five tops. By means 

 of these tops you are enabled to form a fly-rod, a 

 trolling one, and different sorts of bait-rods. The 

 butt of course is to be hollow, and willow or ash 

 for that part of the rod is the best material. A 

 general rod of South Carolina cane, eighteen feet 

 long, is that commonly used by London bottom- 

 fishers. It has tops for roach, perch, barbel, and 

 indeed for every sort of bottom-angling. 



The white cane roach rod is made of Spanish 

 reed, but the generality of them sold in London 

 are too long. Eighteen feet in length is sufficient 

 for any purpose, is more easily handled, and strikes 

 more surely. The London makers do not recom- 

 mend roach-rods made of this cane, on account of 

 the difficulty in procuring it good. It is the best 



