406 HO W TO FISH 



And, first of all, it behoves the would-be angler to 

 learn how to throw a fly, whether it be with a salmon 

 or a trout rod. 



The rod for trout-fishing must combine at least two 

 qualifications — viz., it must be light and moderately 

 stiff; and it is no easy matter for a person who is in- 

 experienced in such matters to know what kind of a 

 rod he should select, and is most suitable for his use. 

 It is an easier matter to fit the man to the rod than the 

 rod to the man. The first step for a beginner to take 

 is to requisition the services of some really practical 

 fisherman who is acquainted with the best makers, and 

 who will give his assistance in the selection of a really 

 good and suitable rod. Such a rod is frequently the 

 friend of a lifetime. The first successful cast made by 

 the fisherman is as indelibly impressed on his memory 

 as his first run with hounds or his first stag. The 

 more care taken in the selection of a rod the greater 

 the satisfaction it will be likely to afford. 



We fishermen are apt to be somewhat over- 

 extravagant in the number of rods which we at times 

 think it necessary to possess. Such, for instance, as 

 salmon rods, switching rods for salmon-fishing, trout 

 rods, single and double handed spinning rods, rods for 

 trolling, rods for bait-fishing, etc. ; but, all the same, 

 there is one out of all our store which is ever the 

 favourite, and that one is not infrequently our first. It 

 is, as is our first gun, first horse, etc, our ' first love.' 

 Therefore let that first rod be chosen with extra care 

 and judgment, and be of the very best possible manu- 

 facture. The wood should be not only well seasoned, 

 but of a description which will neither warp nor lose 

 its shape. I have tried all kinds of wood for rods, and 



