28 The American Salmon-fisherman. 



G a, equal lengths of line. The movement of the tip 

 from E to G has retracted the line from F to H. El 

 and G eT^also represent equal lengths of line. The same 

 movement of the tip from E to G has retracted the line, 

 but from I to J, obviously less than the distance from 

 Fto H. 



But this is, so to speak, but the preface of the story. 

 It is the motion of the extreme tip of the rod, not of any 

 other part, which determines the retraction of the line. 

 Now if the outer end of the line is fastened, no matter 

 how much motion is given to the rest of the rod, the end 

 of the tip remains stationary and the line is not re- 

 tracted. What angler has not demonstrated this to his 

 utter disgust when he has hung his flies on the back-cast 

 in some tree, the existence and location of which he has 

 failed duly to consider ? If the line, instead of being 

 fast at its outer extremity, were submerged for a part 

 of its length in tar, the same result would follow; nor 

 would there be any difference, except in degree, if water 

 was substituted for the tar. 



It follows, then, that there must be some length of line 

 upon which the friction of the water, coupled with the 

 inertia of the line itself, will be so great as to overpower 

 the stiffness of the rod. The tip then remains stationary 

 though the rod itself may be doubled up by the energy 

 of the angler; and though its elasticity may at length 

 start the line into motion, it will do so but tardily, and 

 too late to answer any useful purpose. 



It thus appears that the ability to strike a rising fish 

 fails first, since that motion must be prompt upon the 

 rise to be of avail. Subsequently, and with an increased 

 length of line, the power to retrieve the line for the 



