150 Book of the Black Bass. 



but the rod will remain intact. It combines all the essen- 

 tial qualities of a good rod, viz : balance, lightness, strength, 

 elasticity, and pliancy. A salmon rod is only a trout 

 fly rod enlarged, proportionately, in every particular, and 

 made to be used with two hands instead of one. 



Now, if all fish were caught with the fly, there would 

 be no need for other Tods than trout and salmon fly rods; 

 but as such, unfortunately, is not the case, we are com- 

 pelled to adopt other rods in accordance with the mode of 

 fishing, the character of the fish to be caught, and the kind 

 of bait to be used. But whatever may be the nature of 

 the rod that is to be made, let this general rule or principle 

 be followed in its construction: Let the rod conform as 

 nearly as possible to the typical rod, i. e., the trout fly rod, 

 as is consistent with the manner of service required of it. 

 If we follow this rule we can not go very far astray. 



Acting upon this principle, then, I have found in my 

 experience that the essential qualities or attributes of a 

 good black bass rod for bait-fishing, are much the same 

 as the typical rod for balance, weight, strength, and elastic- 

 ity, but stifEer, or not so supple. The slight stiffening 

 of the rod makes it correspondingly heavier, and in order 

 to maintain the same relative weight, we must cut down 

 the length of the rod to eight or eight and a half feet, 

 vfhich is found by experience to be far superior to longer 

 rods for black bass fishing. 



As a comparatively long, pliant rod is best for casting a 

 fly, so is a short, stiffish rod best for casting a minnow. 

 With a rod of this character, and a free-running, multiply- 

 ing reel, it is an easy matter to cast from thirty to forty 

 ■yards. The situation of the reel upon the butt must be a 

 compromise between the single and double-handed fly rods ; 

 for though the rod is used almost entirely with one hand, 



