396 TROUT AND ANGLING. 



found to have a small piece of wire moulded on 

 the joints where they unite ; this is intended to tie 

 them together by a silk thread, to prevent the 

 awkward predicament of throwing rod and all into 

 the water, one of the miseries of anglers, and a 

 thing that often happens, unless so prevented. 



Since we are upon nice points, though we hope 

 not more nice than wise, we will observe still fur- 

 ther, that the silk thread should be waxed with 

 bees' wax, and not with shoemaker's, that it 

 may be unwound with greater convenience, this 

 being the only use in all the apparatus, to which 

 the former is put in preference to the latter. Shoe- 

 maker's wax is absolutely essential, both as hold- 

 ing the work together and resisting the action of 

 the water. The silk thread should be left hang- 

 ing upon the joints ready for use, which if it is a 

 three-joint rod, as recommended, will require but 

 two wooldings, and gives very little trouble. 

 Before putting a rod together, the end of one joint 

 (without a brass ferrule, as advised,) which goes in- 

 to the ferrule or socket of the other, should have a 

 little hard grease applied to it, to prevent its swell- 

 ing and adhering, so that it cannot be taken apart ; 

 oil will not do. If, however, on account of rain, 

 or falling into the water, it should stick fast, which 

 often happens, it should not be forced, but the 

 brass held in the flame of a candle, when by 



