CHAPTER II. 



Rods. 



N all the angler's outfit there is no other 

 article so important as the rod, and when 

 a true angler has found one that is just 

 right for his particular kind of fishing 

 he cares for it as tenderly as the sports- 

 man gunner cares for his fine, high-priced 

 firearms, and has a greater regard for it. 

 This is but natural, and a fine fishing rod, 

 especially the light and resilient fly-rod, cannot fairly be 

 compared with a firearm, or other sporting equipment. A 

 gun in the hands of a hunter becomes only the means by 

 which the end is attained, but the fishing rod in the hands 

 of the angler is something more it is, when in use, as a part 

 of himself, seemingly like an extension of his arm, and he 

 uses it as though it were a portion of that member, and 

 not a separate and inanimate article. 



Of course there are rods and rods, from the beautiful 

 four ounce fly rod costing a whole pocketful of money to the 

 humble cane rod used in still fishing and costing only a few 

 cents. Naturally the choice of rod depends on the style 

 of fishing that it is needed for and the kind of fish that 

 it is expected to take. 



Many kinds of native woods have been experimented 

 with but for light rods nothing has been found equal to 

 the woods imported for this purpose, and commonly used. 

 Of all solid wood rods those made of lancewood are most 

 common in this country. They are cheaper than others and 

 the wood is lighter than bethabara and greenheart, also softer. 



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