rod is employed by many fishermen and is similarly 

 arranged as to joints, guides and tips as the bamboo. 

 These rods are employed by experts as they afford that 

 opportunity for delicate work which cannot be realized 

 or accomplished by any other. For shore fishing a 

 long rod is required, measuring from nine to ten feet, 

 while in fishing from a boat a much shorter rod should 

 be employed. This opinion is ventured from the stand- 

 point of bait fishing for bass. The modern rod for 

 boat fishing is made of steel with three joints, trumpet 

 guides and agate tip. Its length should not be over 

 seven feet and great care should be exercised in 

 observing that it is of proper weight and balance and 

 not too elastic. The steel rod should at all times be 

 kept well cleaned and dry and the joints be oiled 

 before and after use. Of reels there are many makes 

 and patterns, skillful mechanics exercising wonderful 

 ability in the construction of the parts. There are 

 reels in use which possess the intricacy and delicacy 

 of a good watch, every part hand made, with the 

 capacity of multiplying many times in taking or giving 

 out the line. These reels have drags and clicks, some 

 on the side, others in front, for the purpose of regulat- 

 ing the lines and giving alarms. In casting the line 

 from a reel, the effort should be made with the right 

 arm and over-running or back wind of the line should 

 be prevented by the right thumb. Every fisherman has 

 his own peculiar method of casting, however, and 

 practice alone will establish proficiency, which is 

 made up in distance and accuracy. Reels may be 

 bought for a small price or a high figure. A reel 

 should always be kept in good condition by rubbing, 

 oiling and tightening of rivets and screws. A dark 

 silk braided line, from seventv-five to one hundred 



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