30 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



British rod makers have been forced to cater to this 

 demand both at home and abroad. The average Brit- 

 ish angler, however, clings to his 12 and 14 foot rods 

 because of his inborn conservatism. 



American anglers marvel at the heavy rods and fine 

 terminal tackle used by their British brethren but, as 

 a matter of fact, the difference in weight between 

 American and English rods is in ounces and not in 

 power. British rod makers use heavier fittings and 

 their rods are built heavier in the butt which often is 

 increased by the use of a button and spike that adds 

 as much as i% ounces to a rod's weight. 



Because of this heft in the butt the American angler, 

 whose knowledge of British fly rods has been gained 

 by reading British tackle catalogs, is surprised to 

 learn that a British-made rod of 10 feet and 8 ounces 

 " swings " just as easily as an American rod of the 

 same length and of 2 ounces less weight. 



Comparing the best British and American rods I am 

 of the opinion that, even after making allowances for 

 the Britisher's heavier construction, American rods 

 possess more casting power. On the other hand they 

 are poorer finished. That is, they do not display the 

 niceties that one expects when paying twenty-five or 

 more dollars for a fly rod. Good American fly rods 

 are severely plain while British rods are invariably 

 more distinctive in appearance and, with the exception 

 of ferrules, better fitted. My sympathies are with the 

 angler who pays thirty dollars or more for a fine fly 

 rod and who objects to paying three dollars additional 



