TACKLE (Continued) : Page 50

Dry Fly Rods

The dry fly rod approximates the bass fly rod, or rather the bass fly fisher has seized upon the dry fly rod — or one similar to it — as his very own. American anglers most often use the so-called tournament weights in their dry fly fishing. That is, 9 foot rods weighing 43/4 ounces and 91/2 footers that scale 53/4 ounces. Anglers often work out their own ideas in dry fly rods and we know one expert who fishes with floating flies with an 81/2 foot rod that weighs four ounces. It is interesting to note that the late Mr. F. M. Hal-ford, the famous English dry fly expert, reduced the weight of his dry fly rods as he gained in experience. His last model, which he pronounced as perfect, was 91/2 feet in length and weighing with spear and other heavy British fittings, 8 ounces, 14 drachms. We note a similar tendency among our more expert dry fly men.