too much of one size throughout, and therefore too pliable for any but the very weakest wrist and the most dandy summer-day fly-whipper.

We like no nick-knackery in our fishing gear - nothing ornamental only without commensurate utility. Out-of-the-way things are our abhorrence. Not that we are prejudiced against novelty, but because all novelties are not improvements, and because, therefore, the inexperienced angler may be allured by new and wellpuffed articles from things of sterling value, though of old-fashioned fabrication. What are called general rods,—that is, rods intended for all sorts of fishing, worm, fly, float, and minnow, may be classed in this category, and should, therefore, be avoided as religiously as Morison's pills, for both are quackery alike. It is impossible to adapt one rod to all sorts of work, let the joints be appropriated as they may. Nor is it necessary that it should be so adapted. If you want a fly-rod, reader, be content to buy a fly-rod alone; if a worm-rod or a trolling-rod, let it be so, made for the one particular purpose, and nothing more; nor begrudge a few shillings in the purchase, if dealing with an honest man, who practically understands his business. All others, for the craft's sake, thou wilt, of course, religiously eschew.

There are several different kinds of wood used in the construction of fly-rods, those in greatest repute being ash, willow, and fir for the butt; lancewood, bamboo cane, elder, briar, and hazel for the top; and hickory, lancewood, yew, &c., for the intermediate pieces. Of these, the best, perhaps, are willow, hickory, bamboo cane, and lancewood. The last, for the top joint, can be made of sufficient thinness at the point to dispense with whalebone, which is heavy and otherwise objectionable. We need not say that whatever kinds of wood are used, it is of paramount importance that it be well seasoned, and that the different sorts in the same rod be properly adapted to each other. The butt should be bored, for the purpose of receiving a spare top, and furnished with a spike screwed into its base. Modern rods, of any pretension to superiority, are never made without these obvious conveniences.

As to the colour of rods, it is not, perhaps, a matter worth disputing, although we must confess that we have a decided penchant for black. Some may think us fastidious in supposing that highly varnished yellow rods are likely to scare the fish-particularly in sunshine. One thing, however, and it is important, must be said in favour of light varnish, namely, that it renders

visible all knots and other imperfections in the wood, to conceal which, it is more than possible, black varnish is sometimes daubed on. But again, the colour of yellow rods is imparted by means of aqua fortis, which probably operates injuriously upon the wood. So much pro and con. The advantages are decidedly in favour of black rods, and this would seem to be a pretty general opinion, for a yellow rod is now very seldom seen in the hands of any fly-fisher.

The rings of the rod, through which the line passes from the reel, are of more consequence than some may imagine, inasmuch as correctness and comfort in throwing depend somewhat upon their perfection. It is not only necessary that the rings be brazed neatly and strongly, but also that the metallic loops by which they are fastened to the rod be of good material. That generally used is the fine copper on which watch dials are formed, but perhaps small brass or copper wire would be found more durable. Whenever a ring is lost, particularly from the top joint, it should be replaced before the rod is again used, or a strain or fracture may be the result; to say nothing about the inconvenience of fishing with the line hanging loosely at the place where the ring is wanting. The rings on the butt should

be rather larger than those at the other extremity; or, to be more correct, they should diminish in size gradually from the butt upwards. The binding of the loop of brass with which the top of the rod is terminated should be whipped neatly over with very fine brass wire, in order to prevent it from being worn by the friction of the

line.

When the rod is laid by for the winter, it should be rubbed over with either salad or linseed oil, and hung in a dry place. A coat of varnish, too, in the course of a couple of seasons, or oftener if the rod be much used, is very desirable. Copal varnish is recommended by some, and it is said to answer very well; but that compounded from the following recipe, given in "Daniel's Rural Sports," is preferable for many reasons:"Shell-lac and seed-lac, a quarter of an ounce each, finely powdered and put into separate phials, with a quarter of a pint of the best spirits of wine each; to be placed in a sand heat and shaken often till dissolved. When each is dissolved mix them together, in a bottle sufficiently large, with a quarter of an ounce of gum benjamin. Increase the heat and the dregs will subside. Warm the wood, and, with a camel-hair brush, lay on a thin coat."

A three-joint rod of the kind we have endeavoured to describe, and of the best possible materials and workmanship, may be purchased for about a guinea, and a four-joint one for about twenty-four or twenty-five shillings. The prices, of course, vary in different places, and many "tackle-puffers" (as Stoddart aptly designates them) profess to sell the best rods at something less than what would really be the cost of best materials. To such worthies and such wares, however, we cannot be suspected of having alluded.