208 A SCOTTISH FLY-FISHER 



fish in his vicinity. The length of line he employs 

 with success is determined by the length of his rod and 

 by the height at which he is placed above the surface 

 of the water. The line he commands with ease when 

 fishing from a high bank passes beyond his control 

 when he descends to the level of the stream. 



Whether the angler employs a split-cane or a green- 

 heart rod seems a matter of small importance, and, since 

 the difference between them is chiefly one of price, his 

 choice is probably determined by his purse. The split- 

 cane is the rod of the Plutocracy ; its cost places it 

 beyond the reach of the impecunious. But in this in- 

 stance the cheap is not necessarily the nasty ; a good 

 greenheart rod is as serviceable an implement as any 

 angler need desire. I have fished with one for many 

 years, and I cannot imagine that from the prohibitively 

 expensive split-cane I could have derived a greater 

 satisfaction. It was built for me by Mr. William 

 Robertson, of Glasgow, and has never given me 

 occasion for complaint. Its only fault, and one not 

 inherent in the rod itself but in its relation to the arm 

 that wields it, is that it is just a trifle heavy. It is 

 single-handed, but to employ it in comfort and with 

 some degree of skill I am compelled to bring my left 

 hand to the assistance of my right. Towards the end 



