THE FLY-EOD. 95 







The fly-cast should be joined to the casting-line 

 by four or five lengths of picked gut, and the whole 

 line should increase in thickness gradually from the 

 flies to the rod ; it is a great assistance to casting. 



The only point connected with this subject which 

 remains to be considered is the rod, and it is a very 

 important one. The rod may be used either double 

 or single handed. If the river is large, and the 

 angler is not wading, a double-handed rod might be 

 advisable ; if he is wading, even in a large river, a 

 single-handed one will be sufficient ; and in all rivers 

 which can be commanded from, bank to bank, either 

 by wading or otherwise, it should always be used. 

 For fly-fishing, where light throwing and quick 

 striking are indispensable, a double-handed rod is 

 an unmanageable weapon. With it the angler can 

 neither cast with so much certainty, nor strike so. 

 instantaneously when he gets a rise, as with a light 

 single-handed rod. It is also exceedingly difficult to 

 regulate with it the amount of force necessary to fix 

 the hook ; the force necessary to move the rod being 

 exceedingly apt to tear small hooks away from their 

 hold. Besides which, it takes a much longer time to 

 cast, and where repeated casting is necessary, this 

 becomes a serious objection. 



A light stiff single-handed rod about ten feet 

 long will be amply sufficient for most waters. 

 Those accustomed to use rods from twelve to thirteen 

 feet may think this much too short, but a stiff rod 

 of this length will throw a line further than one of 



