Morning journal and courier., 1882-10-11

izon. OBSERVER. Trout and Bass Rods-Light Rods and Heavy Rods.
 Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.l I have received so many letters asking ad- vice in the purchase of rods IT fly fishing that I propose, with your permission, to answer all in one. It is noteworthy that many of these letters from fathers de- l string to buy rods for their young sons. l This is good sign. Nothing is more important in the education of the young than the indoctri- nation of a love of open air exercise and the 1 formation of an acquaintance with nature. | Every boy, if his surroundings make 1t pos sible, should be given the opportunity of be- coming an angler. If he takes to it, he will be grateful through all his life for the physi- cal and mental improvement and enjoyment which are certain to accompany him n prac- ticing the gentle and contemplative art. The question, which is constantly put, is "What should be the weight of fly rod ?'' This is fruitful subject of discu ssion, and much has been written on it. The contro- versy has been between Tight rods' and ''heavy rods" I frankly confess I cannot take either side of the dispute, because I do not know at what weight the distinction be- gins, and therefore do not know exactly the difference between light and heavy rod Since the middle of May last think there have not been more than two or perhaps three days Sundays always excepted) on which I have not taken more or less fish with the fly, sometimes casting only half hour of the day, sometimes spending the whole day on the water. I have used during this time various rods, according to circumstances weighing all along from five ounces up to twelve. I suppose the arbitrary distinction between light and heavy comes somewhere along in the lis of six or seven ounce rods which have used andi which ordinarily use.
 For the angler who goes a fishing once 2. year for a week or two and does not wish but one rod, fancy the best advice is to buy and use seven or eight ounce rod. But if he have opportunity, let him try lighter and heavier, and then adopt and use just what suits him best It is absurd to be dogmatic in such matters. You can catch minnow with bean poles if you know how, and you can kill five pound trout with five ounce rod if you know how.
 Lovers of very light rods love them very much. There is great satisfaction in using them and, in skillful hands, they will do heavy work. The theory of angling is that the rod is only stifening of the line, up to the hand, enabling you to manage it; and the reel is means both of bringing the fish in and of allowing the line to run free and prevent sudden strain of the fish on the hook. The same gentle pressure may be ap- piled with heavy as with light rod, if tn reel is properly used. The bend of the rod is the application of spring which keeps the line ''taut' and holds the hook in it's place gently WlCnOuL SuCn 1OrC6 aS to tear It out.
 Light rods will not stand steady and con- stant angling from day to day. If one ex- poets to take large and strong fish on each successive day of fishing, he needs either fairly heavy working rod or two or three light rods. This is specially true in wet weather. Three days fishing and taking heavy trout, or one days fishing and taking black bass, in rain, will ruin six seven ounce rod, unless it be carefully strengthened by hanging it from the tip with weight on the butt, or in some other way, and allowed to dry while the fibre recovers position.
 In brief, the proper weight for rod de- pends on what you want to do with it. A few days ago l was casting for trout where it was necessary to get out an occasional cast against the wind. I was using five ounce Norris rod, and it worked delightfully."- till the wind became so strong that it was useless in my hands Perhaps better angler could have put his fly down accurately against the gale with that rod. I could not and so went ashore and got seven and half ounce rod, wherewith l could and did &C., complish what was desired.
 For young beginner it is advisable to purchase rod weighing eight nine ounces, and let him learn to cast with it. He will be sure to smash it That cannot be avoided
 Therefore, 1t Is waste of money to start him with an expensive rod. One who has learned to cast with a nine ounce will easily use five or six ounce rod afterward while ", light rods find difficulty and fatigue in using heavier ones. It seems to me that every one who goes fishing frequently, or from year to year, in various waters, should have two rods one not over seven ounces, and one not less than nine in weight.
 There Is no mistake about the great delight of using very light rod in some weather Of a still day, on lake, with light rod, light lne gossamer leader and the smallest gnats, one may enjoy sunshine, air and skillful ang- ling to his hearts content. But if one be ] fishing rapid river, and has struck a two pound trout in the rush of the stream with a \ five or six ounce rod, he will, if he loves his l little rod, wish he had left it at home that morning,
 I have been using great deal lately, with the utmost satisfaction six and half ounce rod made by Mir William Mitchell, of Mo- 26 Vandam street, New York, which is with ! out exception the ablest rod of it's weight I ever handled The wood is shad blow or withe wood, or sugar plum for it has vari. | ous local names. l have frequently men toned 1t in my correspondence. 1 fished one day with this rod in stiff gale with seventy eight feet cast to leeward, working | steadily and recovering easily, killing fish oc- casionally, and not varying the length of cast. Anglers will know the strain which I such cast in high wind brings rod ! It stood it perfectly, and neither second joint nor tip indicated any suffering. MT. Mitch
 
 | is peculiar. The rod proper extends to the
 extreme butt end with it's regular taper, and | the handle slips on over it. The purpose is | to give a complete spring in the butt to the very end not arrested by the ordinary swell | of the butt to thick handle Whether l from this or from the excellent poise and ju- l dicious distribution of strength in the wood, I the little rod is wonder of art. Mir l Mitchell is skillful and enthusiastic maker | of rods. I have no hesitation in telling | those who have asked my advice to go to 1 him and order rods of whatever weight,
 trusting to his skill and experience.
 | For steady use no one need think of buy.
 ing a cheap rod. With rods as with guns, | you may, by buying four or five cheap ones, hit on one which is good and lasting But l if you wish useful, trustworthy article go ! to first class maker and pay a first class l price. Sone"men object to paying a lawyer,
 a doctor, mechanic, an engineer, or anyone,
 a high price for his reputation. This is l nonsense. The sensible man knows that the
 reputation entities the high charge, and l guarantees the purchaser employer. l
 count eleven trout and bass rods in my rod | case or hanging in the cabin. These have
 cost variously from $25 to $65 each, and the l higher priced rods have done ten times the work of the cheaper I believe that the or | dinary cost of @ first class trout rod, by 8 | maker of reputation, now-a days is from $25
 to $40, according to quality, extra pieces and finish.
 This letter has been necessarily somewhat personal as it is intended specially to answer personal inquiries.