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CHAPTER III. 



TACKLE. 



AN important point is to commence with proper 

 tackle, for it is of no use to attempt to catch trout 

 with a cart-rope tied to a hedge-stake. First, then, 

 with regard to the Rod. A good rod is the angler's 

 chief requisite, and extraordinary progress has been 

 made in the art of manufacturing rods within the 

 last few years. 



There are so many excellent makers that it is only 

 necessary to visit one of them and select a rod suit- 

 able to your height, strength, and fancy, and in this, 

 as in many other respects, fancy goes a long way. 

 For all ordinary purposes, a rod from ten to twelve 

 feet in length will be sufficient, and I have generally 

 used those made in four pieces, the lower three of 

 greenheart, or hickory, and the top of bamboo. It 

 should be tolerably stiff, for in windy weather it is 

 impossible with a light whippy-rod to throw against 

 or across the wind and attain any degree of accuracy. 

 It should be double-brazed, so that the joints may 

 not become fixed by the swelling of the wood when 

 wet, and the brass joints should be made slightly 

 tapering, and the whole, when put together, should 

 taper regularly from butt to point, and when held 

 horizontally should be stiff enough to lie ' almost 

 level. It should, of course, be fitted with small brass 



