The herald., 1897-08-15

fish rod that hangs on the wall, sees that
the dust-covered basket is furnished up
and wonders If it is not possible to get
q vacation of few days anyway. 1t
Is the trout season-blessed period!
Every angler who has ever caught a
trout feels the thrill that comes to him
when pursuing his, favorite sport every
,time he thinks Of it.
Stories are coming thick and fast from
the mountains and elsewhere of great
catches made under most exciting cir
cumstances. The trout tales that are
being brought home by the fortunate
men who can go trout fishing when
they like bear a sufficient impress of
truth to enthuse the most phlegmatic.
When, o reader, you reach that point
when all attainment seems a hollow
mockery; when life's endless toll and
endeavor weigh heavily upon you; when
perhaps the search for wealth has led
you on and on until all around you you
can only see the quagmire of discomfort
and the foul emanations of deceit, envy
and greed that made the head reel,
then 1t is inded time to possess your
self of light rod and angling outfit
and HE to the mountain brook where
the gamiest and wariest of fish kind
will call forth all your cunning to catch
him. New vigor will invade your frame
and your laughter will resound through
the woods, as after gamy fight you
land a speckled beauty.
Today the split bamboo stands at the
head of all rods. This is claimed as an
American invention, and at first was
laughed at by our English friends on
account of its Hmberness. The last ten
years has seen it distance all rivals,
and the man who wishes to be up to
date will select a split bamboo. They
are made of six, and, also of eight, strips
In price they may be had from $125 UP
TO $50 and more. The novice will do well
to begin with medium-priced rod, not
necessarily the very cheapest, but one
that will not cost more than So or 81.
Dowelled ferules are no longer consid-
cred desirable, on account of the diff
Guilty of making repairs. The eimple
teruIe is preferred.
Most Of the rods are in three Joints,
and these are by all means the best.
In selecting the rod see that it has an
even hang" That means that when
It Is strained 1t will bend in an even
curve from butt to tip. Care should
be taken that there are no imperfectione
IN the cane. The cheaper rods are made
from inferior material, the manufac-
turer asserting his bamboo according
to the grade of rod he wishes to pro-
duce. An expensive rod should bend
20 that the tip touches the butt without
Breaking. In buying a first class rod
do SO from maker who is not only will
ing to put his name on the rod, but is
willing to guarantee it.
A rod that is too timber will not cast
we'll whilst one that is too stiff is apt
to place too great a strain upon the fish
by it's quick reaction. Ring guides are
mostly preferred, but some still cling to
the tie guides. A rod for fly fishing
should weigh from six to eight ounces
and be from nine to ten and half feet
long. The reel seat should always be
below the hand on a fly rod. If bait
fishing is to be INDUCED in, a heavier rod
is preferable. OF late a new material
called paddle wood is being recon-
mended, but until it is proved superior
the split bamboo would better be adhered
to. The steel rods put upon the market
some years ago seem to give little sat
1sfaction, and are not used as much as
when first introduced. Yet notwth-
standing this fact the steel rod has
greater possibilities before it than any
wood rod, and IS likely to become the
rod of the future. The problem seems
to be simply one of perfection of manu-
facture. Some years ago many veteran
englers made their own rods but few
have the leisure or skill to do so, and
moreover the manufacture has attained
such a degree of perfection that the
amateur cannot hope to cope with the
professional rod maker, who also has
the advantage OF having large stock
of cane to make selections from.
In fishing for trout multiplying reel
Is to be avoided, and the preference
given to one that is narrow between
the plates, with a drum or spindle OF
large diameter. With such a reel the
line can be wound up very rapidly.
The handle should be of such cor struc-
tion or SO protected that it will be i'm
possible to foul the line. A light click
Is best, and its whirr is sweetest music
to the ear of the angler.
The leader is that part of the tackle
that IS attached to the end of the line
and to which the artificial flies or other
lure are attached. 1t is used on account
of it's invisibility, as any line, no matter
how delicate, would scare the fish. Lead
ers are made from silkworm gut, and the
best comes from Spain. They are made
in lengths of from three to six feet. The
four and six feet leaders are the most
servicea BILE. There should be a loop at
each end and others at distances of
thirty inches. The finer the leader the
better, yet it should be heavy enough
to stand the strain of a heavy fish. In
other words, although fine tackle lures
best, yet it must not be too fine to be
Eerviceable. Leaders are stained in
many different shades, varying from
light mist color, which, by the way is
most often used, to almost a black. Much
study has been given to this subject of
staining in order to make the leader n G.
little conspicuous as possible. 1t is an
accepted rule among anglers that when
dsh will not rise it is always advisable
to change the leader, no matter what
shade has been used under seemingly
similar conditions The leader should al
ways be soaked before it is used and
lNtt