CHAPTER IV. 



THE TROUTING FLY-ROD, LINES, ETC. 

 HOW TO MAKE AND USE THEM. 



F all the implements necessary for a Fly- 

 fisher the Rod takes precedence; there- 

 fore in the choice of it too much care and 

 attention cannot be exercised. Perfect 

 sharpness and even pliability in the Rod 

 may be compared to the perfect boring of a fowling-piece, 

 both being alike requisite to project with certainty and 

 regularity their respective messengers of death. 



Fly-rods are made in various manners, and of divers 

 lengths, but the materials, in all cases, should be very 

 dry and well seasoned. I will now enumerate the chief 

 properties of a good Fly-rod, and, also, some of the de- 

 fects of an ordinary one. The first essentials of a good 

 rod are lightness and firmness, comprising smartness and 

 evenness of spring, from the middle of the butt, supposing 

 it a three-jointed Rod, to the point. In order to fish 

 pleasantly and throw with precision it should balance as 

 nearly as possible when held in the hand about eighteen 

 inches from the butt, after the reel is on, the line run 



