324 APPENDIX OX FISHING-TACKLE. 



rivers and brooks, and 14 feet the extreme length for the generality of 

 streams. Shipley thinks 13 feet 6 inches should in any case be the 

 utmost length ; and Pulmau prefers 11 feet as the only size which can 

 be conveniently used in windy weather. Col, Hawker gives the following 

 description of what should constitute a trout rod: "About 12 feet 3 

 inches long, and about 14 oz. in weight. It must not be top-heavy, nor 

 have too much play in the lower part ; but the play should be just in 

 proportion to the gradual tapering, by which there will be very little 

 spring till after about the third foot of its length. A rod too pliable 

 below is as bad as being too stiff, and from being too small at that 

 part, is of course more liable to be top-heavy, which nine rods in ten are : 

 the consequence is, they tire the hand, and do not drop the fly so neatly." 

 Theophilus South (Ed. Chitty) used a trout rod 14 feet 3| inches, 

 weighing 1 Ib. 2 oz., generally throwing from 20 to 30 yards of line, 

 from five in the morning till nine at night, without experiencing fatigue. 

 The Salmon Fly Rod usually ranges between 16 and 18 feet in it 

 length ; but some few prefer 20, although unpleasantly heavy and un- 

 manageable, excepting by very tall and strong men. The intermediate 

 length of 17 feet is a favourite size, and suits either grilse, sea-trout, OF 

 salmon-fishing. It should be made of the very best materials, well 

 seasoned, and of not more than four joints. " Ours," says Chitty, "is 

 ash for the butt, hickory for the next two joints, and lance-wood and 

 whalebone spliced for the top ; but many prefer a bamboo top." It 

 need have no spike, but the extreme end of its butt should be rounded, 

 as in working the fly through the water it is constantly necessary to 

 press the butt-end of the rod against the lower part of the abdomen. 

 Burnt or mottled East India cane is coming into repute for salmon as 

 well as for trolling rods, and is praised by several writers. THE 

 DOUBLE-HANDED ROD is of considerable length and strength, and 

 requires both hands to use it. Such a rod can kill very heavy fish 

 and command a great length and strength of line, which in very wide 

 rivers is certainly a great advantage. It can seldom, however, be used 

 with such precision in throwing the fly as the single-handed rod. 

 FLY RODS are also made as Spliced rods and Split cane rods. 

 SPLICED RODS are commonly made in two or three lengths, which fife 

 together with great nicety, and are secured at each extremity of the 

 splice with a broad flat ring, and then well bound round with strong 

 silk line well waxed, or with waxed cord. Such rods are generally kept 

 in fishing-houses and halls where they can be conveniently stowed away 

 without taking to pieces. The advantage of them seems to be admitted 

 by common consent : they are lighter by the weight of the brass 

 ferrules ; there is not that stiffness about them which ferrules inevitably 

 cause, and they are stronger in the joints. They may be of any length, 

 and, on account of their lightness, are often 20 feet, though 15 is gene- 

 rally preferred. The splices must be quite plain, without the least 

 notch or groove, and the longer the splice the less liable to shift, but the 

 shorter the stronger. In medio tutissimus ibis. Baiubridge says, "Spliced 

 rods, made of two pieces only, certainly throw a fly in a neater manner 

 than those encumbered with ferrules can possibly do, as the spring from 

 the hand is uninterrupted, consequently more regular; and they are 



