198 THE WAY OF A TROUT WITH A FLY 



different conditions, and many, indeed most men, have 

 to make one or two rods do for all purposes. Such a rod 

 or rods must then partake of the nature of a compromise. 

 They may be ideal as a compromise, but are little likely to 

 be ideal for all purposes, or, indeed, for many purposes. 

 The ideal would be to have a different rod, with a suitable 

 reel and line, for every new stream, or at any rate for each 

 stream requiring a different weight of casting line. 



It must, I think, be conceded that it is the casting line 

 which conditions the make of rod required for any particular 

 fishing. For instance, on rocky, tumbling waters, which 

 are full of twists and kinks and drags, a heavy line that 

 cannot be held off the water and that quickly goes under is 

 most unsuitable. For such a stream one needs a light 

 line and a rod long enough to hold off the water most of 

 the short line one throws. This involves stiffness for the 

 greater part of its length. The rod will probably be a 

 better hooker if it is very gentle in the upper part. 



On the other hand, if one is fishing a smooth-running 

 chalk stream of crystal clearness, it is essential that one 

 should be able to cast upstream under all conditions of 

 wind. This involves a line of some weight. The weight 

 can easily be overdone, but it should be adequate. Then 

 one wants a rod of the power to carry the line, and yet of 

 such an action that the line will develop the power of the 

 rod. The strength of the rod may easily be excessive. 

 The excess is worse than sheer waste. It is a positive 

 encumbrance. It takes an exceptionally strong wrist to 

 develop the power of such a rod. Therefore, for the 

 majority of mankind, a rod of moderate but concentrated 

 power is to be sought. It wants to be stripped of all 

 unessentials, all lockfast or bayonet joints, all extra 

 whippings, all superfluous metal, and, above all, of all 

 superfluous timber, and to be scientifically tapered from 



