FISHING-RODS. 35 



it is almost impossible to get the line out at all. 

 Another great advantage of a stiff rod is its supe- 

 riority in striking. In striking, by a quick motion 

 of the wrist, the angler moves the rod ; if this is 

 done with a supple rod, the part of it in the hand 

 is moved immediately, but not so the point ; the 

 rod yields throughout ; and the point, by means of 

 which the line is pulled, may almost be said to 

 remain stationary for a moment after striking, and 

 then moves in a slow, uncertain manner ; very 

 different from the instantaneous sharp strike of a 

 good stiff rod. 



Lightness we consider an essential qualification 

 in a rod ; the lighter it is, the angler can cast it the 

 oftener, and use it the longer at a time. This, how- 

 ever, is a matter which the angler should regulate 

 for himself, as a rod that will be too heavy for one 

 will be a mere whip in the hands of another. 



The butts of rods are frequently made hollow to 

 contain one or more spare points ; and to such as 

 have their points made very thin, this is almost 

 indispensable, as it is by no means uncommon for 

 some anglers to demolish one or two of these flimsy 

 articles in a day. If the butt-piece is to be made 

 hollow, it should be made of ash ; the boring of it 

 is a very difficult process, and can only be done by 

 a machine. Saplings are also sometimes used for 

 this purpose, in the centre of which there is gener- 

 ally a considerable quantity of pith, which can easily 

 be scooped out, and the hollow space enlarged. We 



