364 SALMON AND TROUT. 
A few words will suffice to indicate the rod and tackle 
which will be found most serviceable for this class of fishing. 
A moderately stiff single-handed glued cane rod of eleven feet, 
in two or three joints, will be a far more comfortable weapon 
to wield than any double-handed one, although if there are 
any conditions under which a double-handed rod could be 
preferred, it would be when fishing the floating May-fly ; yet 
it is not so handy to use, cannot throw any longer distance, 
and is powerless against the wind when compared with the 
single-handed rod. If the built cane be deemed too expen- 
sive, a greenheart rod of the same length and character can be 
substituted. A good bronze or ebonite revolving-plate reel, 
large enough to hold at least forty yards of line. A pure silk 
solid plaited line, moderately stout and parallel through the 
central portion, but tapered for the last five yards at each end ; 
this dressed in pure boiled oil, according to Mr. Hawksley’s 
improved plan, and occasionally rubbed well over from end to 
end with red deer fat to make it float. Gut cast not too fine— 
in fact, moderately fine undrawn for the point, tapered gradually 
to quite stout trout gut at the loop by which it is attached to 
the reel line. With a landing net and basket, the gear is com- 
plete. 
As to hooks, the argument that is applicable to show the 
advantage of the eyed hook for small flies is strengthened ten- 
fold in regard to the larger sizes. I would, however, offer one 
word of counsel : do not be persuaded to buy May-flies dressed 
on hooks any larger than those specified for the patterns given, 
nor, in fact, for any May-flies. Nos. 2, 3, and for the outside 
limit 3 long, are quite large enough. A small May-fly will often 
hook and kill a fish which will only splash at and refuse one of 
the monstrosities frequently foisted on the unwary by the tackle- 
makers. 
Having rod, line, cast, and fly together, the next point to 
consider is how to use them. I would premise that, without 
wishing in any way to be dogmatic, all the experience gained 
during many years has tended more and more to convince me 
