80 SUMMER ANGLING 



ers, if you choose, — this is a free country, — but 

 there is no sense of fitness in doing so. You 

 wouldn't write a letter home with a broom-handle ; 

 and so I will assume that you desire to have 

 tackle befitting the aristocratic fish you are pur- 

 suing, and that you are desirous of knowing how 

 to use it. In such a case, without further preface, 

 we will consider the rod. 



Fly-rods for trout are of two orders, the single 

 and double handled, — meaning for use by one or 

 two hands. The former are chiefly in use, and 

 only differ in that the latter are longer and heav- 

 ier, and have handles so made that both hands can 

 grasp the rod. 



The single-handed trout-rod is ordinarily made 

 of cane glued together in sections, and whipped at 

 short intervals, and of solid woods, such as lance- 

 wood, bethabara, greenheart, etc. The cane rods 

 are the best ; but they must be made of the very 

 best material, and fitted with infinite skill and 

 care, or they are worthless, as they break easily, 

 or come apart when you least expect it ; and as 

 the best materials and workmanship are costly, 

 my boy readers must, I presume, be content with 

 the other kind. A solid lancewood or greenheart 



