236 GUN, ROD, AND SADDLE. 



was taken the largest river {salmo fario) trout 

 I ever caught. But to :^iy rod ; it was made out of 

 cedar from butt to tip, did not exceed nine ounces, 

 and was the most lively, quick, light casting treasure 

 I ever used. Cedar fly-rods I havelieard objected to, 

 because they are brittle; doubtless you may find 

 them so, and your casting-line also, if you change its 

 use into that of a carriage whip. However much 

 I admire a cedar rod I do not think it suited for a 

 tyro, but when the beginner has gained experience, 

 and is able to ofl*er an oi)inion and 'use a fly rod as it 

 should be used, I doubt not he Avill perfectly agree 

 with me. A cedar rod can seldom be purchased ready 

 made, as tradesmen dislike the job ; so if any read- 

 ers of " Gun, Rod, and Saddle " should wish to possess 

 one, he liad better go to the very best workman he 

 knows of, and give him the order. 



Next to the cedar rod, but one that will stand any 

 amount of fair work, is the split bamboo ; this, I 

 think, can be procured oven lighter tlian the former. 

 There is a firm, the Messrs. CLark, of Maiden Lane, 

 New York, who make this a speciallte. I never had 

 the fortune to use one, but have handled them often 

 and listened to the raptures of experts on their merits ; 

 on their good qualities I believe I can say nothing 



