92 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



tie, it yet is sufficient to impart a distinctive " feel " 

 to each one of the rods. Then, again, individual 

 tastes differ as to just what particular feel is most 

 acceptable; hence subtle refinements of action ob- 

 tained by hollowing out the lines of a rod at one 

 point, and by giving them a swell at another place, 

 are worked out as the result of considerable expe- 

 rience both in the making and the using of rods. 

 Therefore, beyond a certain point, it is practicable 

 to offer data only as a basis for the reader's endea- 

 vors and not as an absolute guide. 



This means that no matter how good may be the 

 first rod put together by the beginner and the 

 chances are very much in favor of its being far supe- 

 rior to any of the cheaper ones that he can buy 

 that rod will not satisfy him for long; for after a 

 thorough testing out he soon will see how he can 

 improve upon it or at any rate he will believe that 

 he does. But between guiding principles and some 

 definite detail, we can put the amateur rod-builder in 

 possession of information sufficient to start him on 

 his way rejoicing. 



For a rod for fishing with the fly, good results 

 may be obtained in one having a straight or even 

 taper throughout, from butt 5 to tip ; and by varying 

 the caliber of such a rod, almost any degree of stiff- 

 ness or flexibility of practical purport may be ob- 



6 " Butt " may refer to the large end of the whole rod, to the larger end 

 of any joint or complete single section, or to the whole of the first or 

 heaviest joint of the rod. 



