40 ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT. 



usual, that it may with great propriety be objected 

 to, as being unsuitable for any other kind of fishing, 

 To obviate this as much as possible, we have a joint 

 made in our fly-rod about a foot from the butt-end, 

 and carry with us a spare butt of about four feet in 

 length. This can be attached to the basket without 

 the angler suffering the least inconvenience, or may 

 be made with joints, which will render it more por- 

 table. When wishing to change from fly to bait, we 

 take off the short butt and put on the long one, and 

 have then a rod suitable for any purpose. 



To keep a rod in good order, and render it im- 

 pervious to wet, it should be varnished occasionally. 

 If any part of it is made of bamboo, this should be 

 done .every three or four times it is used, as the 

 varnish will not adhere to the skin of the cane, but 

 cracks off in casting. For this purpose spirit varnish 

 is generally used, which may be had of any fishing- 

 tackle maker or druggist, and should be applied with 

 a brush. 



Heels. The best reels are those made of brass, 

 and with a plain wheel. Some anglers prefer the 

 multiplier, because it rolls up the line more quickly, 

 and others the rack, because it presents a greater 

 resistance to the running off of the line ; but these 

 advantages are counterbalanced by their liability to 

 go wrong, particularly the multiplier ; and we have 

 known anglers who have lost a salmon by the rack 

 catching at a critical moment. A plain wheel will 

 sometimes allow the line to run off too freely, but this 



