TACKLE (Continued) : Page 44

Ideal Bass Rod

Without going into a tiresome discussion of the technicalities of rod action the ideal fly rod for bass fishing would be along the lines of the rod used by the dry fly fishermen or the tournament type of rod — a rod often described as having " plenty of back bone." Such a rod is a powerful caster, capable of handling a longer line than is commonly used in trouting in this country and with considerable " horse power" in the upper third which is needed as a bass's mouth is bonier and tougher than a trout's and at times one must strike

hard. Furthermore, bass flies are bulkier and take up more water than trout flies and the bass fly fisherman is more often called upon to use spinner, cork bodied flies and other heavy lures. Finally, the bass averages much more in weight than do the trout of most waters and like the trout he is often caught in cluttered-up places where he cannot always be given his head. Such a rod, if of fair weight and length, naturally is not an easy one to use all day and any modifications of it should be along the lines of making it slightly more pliant for ease of casting but the angler should remember that the farther he goes in this direction the farther he gets away from the ideal rod from the standpoint of bass fishing efficiency.