42 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



weight, the latter being for the heavier fishing such as 

 is found in Lake Superior waters and the larger streams 

 of the far west. 



DRY FLY RODS 



The dry fly rod approximates the bass fly rod, or 

 rather the bass fly fisher has seized upon the dry fly 

 rod or one similar to it as his very own. Ameri- 

 can anglers most often use the so-called tournament 

 weights in their dry fly fishing. That is, 9 foot rods 

 weighing 4% ounces and 9% footers that scale 5% 

 ounces. Anglers often work out their own ideas in dry 

 fly rods and we know one expert who fishes with float- 

 ing flies with an 8% root rod that weighs four ounces. 

 It is interesting to note that the late Mr. F. M. Hal- 

 ford, the famous English dry fly expert, reduced the 

 weight of his dry fly rods as he gained in experience. 

 His last model, which he pronounced as perfect, was 

 9% feet in length and weighing with spear and other 

 heavy British fittings, 8 ounces, 14 drachms. We note 

 a similar tendency among our more expert dry fly men. 



TESTING 



The best test for a fly rod is a season's use on the 

 lake or stream but no tackle dealer is going to sell his 

 rods on that basis. The average inexperienced fly 

 fisherman will go into a tackle store, pick up a rod, 

 swing it a little, discuss it much and then buy or re- 

 ject it, depending on the salesmanship of the tackle 

 man. Perhaps a skilled rod maker can get an idea of 



