Maeic in «a Goop Fry-rop. 173 
to be better than German silver or brass, but alumine, or alu- 
minum, is better than cither. 
Fry Rops.—Rods made from split bamboo are unquestion- 
ably the best in use; but a Robert Welch rod, of ash for the 
butt and second joint, lancewood for the third, and split bam- 
boo for the fourth or top joint, is the best rod that I have 
ever owned for general fly-fishing. The split bamboo rod is 
much lighter, and full as desirable. A fly rod should not be 
under twelve feet in length, and I had rather have it six 
inches over, or so made with duplicate top and third joints 
as to make it either twelve or twelve feet six, though my 
longest fly rod is only twelve feet and two inches long. I 
preter a single action rod to the one of double action or a 
“kick in the handle,” though the latter may send a fly far- 
ther, and deliver it more gracefully, but it lacks the snap of 
the single action to strike. Fly-rods from split bamboo 
should weigh from seven to ten ounces when mounted; and 
if from ash, lancewood, and split bamboo, if strictly for sin- 
gle hand, their weights should range from nine to fifteen 
ounces ; and if the latter weight, they should be about twelve 
and a half feet long. Neither rod should be too withy, but 
have snap or elasticity enough in the top to hook a fish with- 
out yielding enough to permit the sinner to disgorge. One 
of the pleasures of fly-fishing is to use a rod which will re- 
sponsively hook a trout without an effort of the angler. The 
sport consists in delivering a fly neatly on a straight lme— 
seeing the trout rise gushingly to the surface and accept the 
lure—and playing a trout gracefully. The charm consists in 
the manner of taking the trout, and the surroundings of a 
pleasing landscape—the music of birds, the spring-time of 
general rejuvenation, and the running harmony of intellectu- 
al conversation. There is society in trouting, but it does not 
prevent the soul from basking in all the life and beauty of 
sound and gayety around. 
Lanpinec Nets.—If for landing in a boat or on shore, a two- 
jointed handle is the best. If for wading, a short handle, at- 
