446 MANUAL, FOE YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



or two at most of gut — and a fine hook suited in size to 

 the bait and fish. In dipping, it is usual to lengthen or 

 shorten the line, which is used from a foot in length to 

 two or three yards, by coiling it round the end of the top 

 joint, and uncoiling it as the line is wished to be extend- 

 ed, and after the rod has been insinuated through the trees 

 or bushes growing on the banks. Some anglers use a reel 

 fixed upon the lower part of the second joint, and with a 

 hair-line it acts pretty well ; but with a plaited one, it is 

 difficult to protrude the line from the end of the rod with- 

 out so great a degree of disturbance as to alarm the fish. 

 The uncoiling from the end of the rod is not unattended 

 with this disadvantage ; but it is less objectionable than 

 doing so entirely from the reel ; though I think, for the 

 sake of convenience, that appendage may be added, taking 

 care to have the lowest joint free, so as to be able to 

 shorten the rod by that amount at pleasure. 



For whipping, or fly-fishing as it is generally called — 

 that is, for the use of the artificial fly — a rod, either single 

 or two-handed, according to circumstances, is required, 

 with a fine reel-line and large-barrelled reel ; and also 

 a long casting-line, with one, two, or three droppers, each 

 armed with a fly. 



The fly-rod is either a single-handed one, or, when 

 used for the larger varieties of the trout, or for salmon, 

 •the two-handed rod. Both of these rods are usually made 

 of the same materials, and they differ only in size, the 

 single-handed varying from 11 to 13 feet in length, while 

 the two-handed extends from 14 to 20 feet. They are 

 both usually made in four or five lengths, but in Scotlar d 



