322 APPENDIX ON FISHING-TACKLE. 



POCKET HOD. This is similar to the lag-rod, but made shorter, in 

 from nine to twelve joints of 18 inches each compact enough to be 

 carried in an inside coat-pocket, or to pack in a portmanteau. It is 

 well fitted for any fine fishing, as for roach, dace, gudgeons, bleak, &c. 



THE WALKING-STICK ROD (a yard long), for bottom fishing, consists 

 of three or four, but sometimes six joints, received within each other, 

 extending in all to 9, 12, 15, or even 18 feet, varying in price from 

 2s. 6d. to 21. 2s. As might be expected, it is not a very efficient 

 article ; it, however, promises little, and seldom does a great deal. 

 Walking-stick rods are also made for fly-fishing, and are then more 

 expensive, usually from 11. Is. to 21. 2s. 



To the 2^'ofessed angler distinct rods are necessary for each kind of 

 fishing, and these we shall now proceed to describe. 



THE LIGHT BOTTOM ROD (for bank- fishing], for roach, dace, gudgeon, 

 smelt, and other fine fishing, varies in length according to the extent 

 and nature of the fishing -ground, and ranges from 12 to 16 feet, but 

 with professed roach anglers often extends to 18, 20, and even 21 feet 

 or more. It can be neither too light nor too stiff, that is, must taper 

 stiffly, not be top-heavy, and have just elasticity enough to strike a 

 fish quickly, without the delay which too much play in the top pieces 

 would cause. It is often made either of bamboo or Spanish WHITE 

 CANE (the latter, though rather more expensive at first, being prefer- 

 able), with a bamboo top. To compensate for its want of strength, 

 it is sometimes ringed throughout, and furnished with a reel and 

 running line ; by which means, if a heavy fish should take the bait, 

 the rod will not suffer. A small reel is no encumbrance to a rod ; it 

 adds but little to its weight ; and when placed on the upper surface of 

 the butt, a very light rod will kill a very heavy fish. 



A STRONG ROD for pearch, chub, bream, carp, tench, and eels, and 

 also for minnow-spinning, may be from 12 to 16 and even 18 feet long. 

 Such a rod should be altogether stouter and stiffer than the last, and 

 may be either of hickory or cane ; if of cane, the upper joints should be 

 of the very best bamboo. Besides the running line and winch, it should 

 be also furnished with a spike to screw into the butt ; indeed, a butt- 

 spike may be considered a necessary appendage to every variety of rod 

 beyond the very lightest, and it may even prove useful with that. 



THE BARBEL ROD, which may also be used for pike-fishing with live 

 bait, or angling with ledger bait, should be stiff. It is generally made 

 of hickory, and its length 11 to 15 feet, proportioned to the extent of 

 the water fished in ; but 12 feet seems to be the favourite length. If 

 it be weak, particularly in the middle joints, a heavy fish will surely 

 distress, and perhaps break it ; it should be strong in the top also, and 

 ringed throughout, and should never be used without running tackle. 



THE PUNT ROD does not require to be so long as the bank rod, and 

 is usually only 10 or 11, and sometimes 12 feet long, made of hickory, 

 East India cane, or bamboo. Some are made of white cane, with 

 silver mountings, for ladies. They should be strong, and stiff enough 

 to strike from the point, being used principally in the Thames, and 

 adapted for roach and barbel fishing with a float. 



THE TROLLING ROD. There is no kind of rod with which a good 



