i6 ANGLING 



A trout-rod for trolling with minnow should be from 

 twelve to fourteen, or even sixteen feet in length, of a 

 good firm build, not by any means so elastic as a fly-rod. 

 A rod for worm-fishing ought to be stoutly and firmly 

 constructed, of the same length as a fly one, and to feel, 

 when placed in the hand, pretty stiif and tidy. For 

 what is called " bush-fishing," with the worm, a much 

 shorter rod will answer the purpose ; and the stiffer and 

 stronger it is the better. 



A pike-rod ought to be very strong and stiff, and as 

 straight as an arrow. The length should not be more 

 than about fourteen feet ; though, for our own part, we 

 have often used rods of only ten feet. The riags 

 through which the line travels should be strong and 

 large ; and, in our opinion, the fewer the better. 



The rod for spinning the minnow is recommended by 

 some experienced anglers to be made of bamboo cane, 

 and to be from eighteen to twenty feet long, with a 

 stiff top. A similar kind of rod, but only about twelve 

 feet in length, is used in angling with the ledger bait 

 for the barbel. 



The rod adapted for roach and dace varies according 

 to the nature of the fishing-ground. If the angler has 

 to pass over high banks, or lofty reeds, the rod should 

 not be less than twenty feet, and very light ; but if the 

 sport be pursued from a boat, or even on water of easy 

 access, a rod of twelve or fourteen feet will be long 

 enough. 



For the convenience of travelling, either in England 

 or on the Continent, what is termed "a general rod" is 

 the most eligible. It is so contrived, by means of top- 

 joints of various degrees of length and elasticity, to 

 answer the several purposes of fly-fishing, trolling, or 

 bottom-fishing. The whole affair may be packed up as 

 to be no more trouble than a single rod, and is often 

 put into the same dimensions as an ordinary walking- 

 stick. 



