Casting the Minnow. 387 



and of large caliber as compared with the minnow-line, 

 which should be as fine and light as possible, consistent 

 with strength. The artificial fly is cast by the weight o£ 

 the fly-line and suppleness of the rod, while the weight of 

 the bait, and swivel or sinker, give the necessary momentum 

 for casting the minnow. The fly is usually cast overhead, 

 directly in front of the angler, while the minnow can only 

 be cast, for any great distance, to one side or the other, or 

 obliquely, by underhand casting. 



Minnow Tackle. 

 The Minnow Casting Rod. — The rod for casting the 

 live minnow should be shorter and stifEer than the fly-rod, 

 but of about the same relative weight; for it, like the fly- 

 rod, is a single-handed rod. It should be from eight to 

 eight and one-half feet long. Eight and a quarter feet is 

 the standard length that I have advocated for many years, 

 though the manufacturers, in order to suit all tastes, now 

 make this style of rod from seven and one-half to eight 

 and one-half feet long. It should weigh from six and a 

 half to eight ounces, according to the material and excel- 

 lence of its construction. It should be well balanced, with 

 a stifSsh back, to insure good casting, but pliable enough to 

 respond to the slightest movement of the fish. Most of the 

 bend and play should be in the upper two-thirds of the 

 rod, which bend should be a true arch, and not a horse-shoe 

 curve, as is often seen in a poorly-constructed and weak- 

 backed rod. The best material for a serviceable rod of this 

 character is an ash butt and lancewood second and third 

 pieces, the latter being usually known as the tip. The 

 reel-seat should be from six to eight inches from the ex- 

 treme butt, and no more,. for this rod must be used with the 

 hand alone^ and should not extend under the elbow for sup- 



