FISHING TACKLE AND HOW TO MAKE IT. 53 I 



line, and casting with the rod to see the kind of implement I 

 have. 



The changes to be made can scarcely be enumerated here, 

 so much do they depend on the quality of the wood — the 

 individual likes and dislikes of the user and his previous skill. 

 A fly-rod should be stiff enough to have no droop in it — that 

 is, for single-handed weapons. If it is unevenly elastic (and 

 the best of lance-wood is that) it must be reduced, where it 

 isstiffer, to adjust it to the strength of the most pliable part. 

 Other points will occur to you as you go along, but be sure 

 that your rod suits your hand. An ill-fitting rod is as bad as an 

 ill-fitting gun, and both are abominations. If the joints crook 

 at all. heat over a warm stove, and get the wood as you 

 wish it. then tie to a perfectly straight steel rod for a time. 



Having, with file, scraper and sand-paper, adjusted 

 your rod. next proceed to smooth it with the finest sand- 

 paper, using plenty of elbow-grease. A little finely powdered 

 tufa (pumice) aids one to get a very smooth surface, and 

 after this if each joint be rubbed briskly with a handful of 

 good hard-wood shavings — those you have slivered off your 

 rod, will do — the surface will be perfect for varnishing. 



The next thing, however — before varnishing — to be consid- 

 ered, is the handle. Of course you can enlarge your lower 

 joint if you choose, in the old-fashioned way; but I prefer the 

 handle made of some nice-grained wood, such as sumach, or 

 it may very commendably be a plain wood wrapped round at 

 the grasp with flax-twine, well waxed, or covered, as one of 

 mine is, with India rubber tubing — the hand never blisters, 

 if this is used. These handles should be ten inches long 

 over all, and the diameter should not be more than one inch 

 at the largest "swell." The interior of the upper part should 

 be bored to receive the butt-end of the largest joint of the 

 rod. This requires whipping and cementing with the same 

 care as bestowed on the ferrule-fixing, and any ornamental 

 whipping or banding at the junction is permissible. 



