96 MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS 



this fine light hand-piece you will nip up eight of 

 every ten trouts that take a pook at your fly thus 

 offered. 



Touching rods we may here further observe, that 

 in regard to length and weight of rod and line, the 

 grand point is to find balance, by having one thing 

 adjusted to suit another, and all combined so as to 

 answer the use and habit of the individual. A 

 person may fish a lifetime with a short rod like a 

 coachman's whip, and shorter still, in such small 

 streams as the Ale and Kale, the Gala and Leader; 

 and by perseverance, and lurking about bushes and 

 going on his knees to hide himself and shadow, he 

 may be pretty successful ; but still this is like shoot- 

 ing partridges with a pistol in place of with a fine 

 fowling piece. 



With a rod of about fourteen feet, large enough for 

 having command of water, even when fishing in the 

 Tweed, you will also have most success in these small 

 streams ; as with a rod well balanced, of equal spring 

 from hand to top, and a casting line of suitable 

 weight, you will throw to the point you wish with 

 ease and softness and walking upright, like the 

 "Lord of the Isles," disdain to crouch or hide. Thus, 

 too, by throwing out only half the length of line 

 you could do if necessary, you will in small streams 



