TROUT FLY-FISHING. §H 



are to be found occasionally in the lakes of the Adirondack 

 Mountains or Maine ; but for lightness, spring, and pleasant 

 casting, a rod of this kind is generally preferred to a heavier 

 or stouter rod, and will meet every demand made on its 

 strength by the usual run of Trout found in a stream that 

 requires wading. Few anglers, after having accustomed 

 themselves, though only for a day, to casting with a light, 

 pliant, one-handed rod as here described, are ever satisfied 

 to resume a two-handed rod, or one of greater length and 

 weight. 



There are many highly-finished one-handed English fly- 

 rods imported and sold by tackle stores, but they are too 

 stiff, besides being heavier by one-third than is necessary, 

 and so dogged with unnecessary mountings, reel-fastenings, 

 ferules, wrappings, and varnish, that the purchaser is apt to 

 abandon them after a few seasons' experience, for a rod of his 

 own designing, or his own make. 



The more weight or force applied to the tip of a well- 

 proportioned fly-rod, the more the strain is thrown on the 

 lower part ; exemplifying the principle of Bemington's bridge, 

 in which the strain is longitudinal where the timbers are 

 small, and transverse at the abutments. 



The color of a rod, if not too light, is of little importance ; 

 it may be stained black or yellow ; the latter color should 

 never be produced by strong acids, which are apt to' impair 

 the strength of the wood. Dark woods, of course, require no 

 staining. A neutral tint is imparted by one or two coats 

 of common writing-fluid, of bluish tint. 



Shellac, which is soluble in alcohol or ether, is generally 

 preferred to copal varnish ; it should be applied thin ; the 

 glare of the last coat should be removed from a new rod by 

 sprinkling a little segar ashes on a wet rag, rubbing gently, 

 and then wiping it off with clean water. 



