TACKLE.
An important point is to commence with proper tackle, for it is of no
use to attempt to catch trout with a cart-rope tied to a hedge-stake.
First, then, with regard to the Rod. A good rod is the angler's chief
requisite, and extraordinary progress has been made in the art of
manufacturing rods within the last few years.
There are so many excellent makers that it is only necessary to visit
one of them and select a rod suitable to your height, strength, and
fancy, and in this, as in many other respects, fancy goes a long way.
For all ordinary purposes, a rod from ten to twelve feet in length will
be sufficient, and I have generally used those made in four pieces, the
lower three of greenheart, or hickory, and the top of bamboo. It should
be tolerably stiff, for in windy weather it is impossible with a light
whippy-rod to throw against or across the wind and attain any degree of
accuracy. It should be double-brazed, so that the joints may not become
fixed by the swelling of the wood when wet, and the brass joints should
be made slightly tapering, and the whole, when put together, should
taper regularly from butt to point, and when held horizontally should be
stiff enough to lie almost level. It should, of course, be fitted with
small brass rings for the line to run through, which, if placed at
proper distances, divide the strain equally, keep the line snug, and
prevent entanglements.
Another matter of apparently trifling importance, but really very
essential, is, that near the ends of each length of the rod, and being
parallel with it, should be a small brass loop or hitcher, tied on with
fine binding wire. Before commencing to fish, pass a piece of thread or
twist round each two of these loops, and tie the joints firmly together;
this will prevent them from slipping, which is often the cause of losing
a good fish or breaking the rod. After the season is over, clean the rod
with very fine emery powder, then let it lie in a trough filled with oil
for a day or two, and after it has been out of the oil long enough for
the surface to get dry, give it a couple of coats of clear carriage
varnish, and put it away for the winter.
Split-cane rods appear to be much on the increase, but they are rather
expensive. It may be, perhaps, from having been accustomed for many
years to greenheart that I do not take readily to the light, springing
motion of cane. This lightness is somewhat modified by the use of steel
centres, but unless they can be made much cheaper than at present, which
I think doubtful, the price will be a great hindrance to their coming
into general use.
There were some splendid rods in the last Sportsmen's Exhibition, and
the man must be very hard to please who could not find one to his taste
there. Among them all, the best I could see for usefulness, at a
moderate price, was a little rod called the "Hotspur," built by Messrs.
Hardy, of Alnwick. It is made of greenheart, in two lengths, and only
ten feet long, but wonderfully powerful as well as pliant, and is fitted
with a spiral joint fastening, which renders the tying above recommended
unnecessary.