AND HOW TO USE IT. 7 



may be carried in the pocket or packed in a 

 portmanteau. 



Spliced rods are favourite articles among 

 many practical fishers ; though inexpensive, and 

 of rude and simple construction, they are very 

 effective in the hands of a skilful fly-fisher : 

 they are usually formed of two joints only, butt 

 and top, which are joined by a splice and whip- 

 ping, without any particle of brass at the joints; 

 a leathern thong being first wetted and slipped 

 over the splice, upon which a whipping of small 

 soft twine is passed as the leather dries, the 

 closer and tighter it adheres to the wood. The 

 tourist and pedestrian angler will find the 

 spliced rod as light an article as he can use ; 

 and, in the event of accident, the damaged 

 piece is easily replaced, though no fishing-tackle 

 shop may he at hand from which to obtain the 

 assistance of a rod-maker. 



All fishing-rods receive injury from wet, 

 unless wiped dry before being put in the bag, 

 or laid aside ; and on putting a rod away for 

 the season, if it has been much used, it should 

 be re-varnished, or, in absence of varnish, if 

 well rubbed over with painters' linseed oil (i. e. 

 boiled linseed oil) the insects will not attack it 



