BAMBOO AS A ROD MATERIAL- 39 



Up to some thirty-odd years ago most manufac- 

 turers of angling-rods employed the Indian (Cal- 

 cutta) bamboo for their purpose, and an occasional 

 veteran angler will be encountered today who firmly 

 believes that a Calcutta-bamboo rod is the only bam- 

 boo rod. But the truth of the matter is that the 

 day of the Calcutta rod has passed; and yet the best 

 rods made now are far better than any that Dad or 

 even Grandfather ever owned. A conspicuous su- 

 perficial feature identifying the Indian cane is the 

 irregularly mottled effect produced by the burn- or 

 scorch-marks, always found on this variety and con- 

 trasting prettily with its naturally yellow rind when 

 thoroughly seasoned. This ordinarily is not seen in 

 the Tonkin or Chinese cane, and when found in the 

 experience of the author it was neither so extensive 

 nor fantastic. The latter bamboo, as purchased in 

 the American market, generally has a smooth un- 

 marked surface of a little brighter yellow shade than 

 that of the Calcutta cane. - 



Encyclopedia references make no note of these ar- 

 tificial brown markings which ordinarily are taken 

 to be merely decorative. Henry P. Wells mentions 

 six possible explanations of their occurrence in his 

 Fly-Rods and Fly-Tackle. To the best knowledge 

 of the present writer they are the result of searing 

 th^ green bamboo-stalks with hot irons in the drying 

 out and straightening process, before marketing 

 them. 



