34 BY SOOK AND BY CROOK. 



run througli with little friction, and there should be 

 plenty of them, so as to distribute the weight evenly 

 over the entire length of the rod when casting or play- 

 ing a fish. 



The size of the rings should decrease towards the top 

 of the rod, so as to prevent the line falling back through 

 them by its own weight ; but, as a rule, the size of the 

 rings is too much reduced towards the top, causing un- 

 necessary friction when paying out line, whereas the 

 line should take itself out as soon as released from the 

 reel without assistance from the rod. 



Ferrules should be bell-mouthed at the ends towards 

 the middle of the joint they enclose, so as not to cut 

 the skin of the wood. 



N.B. — All rods should be kept well varnished, copal 



varnish being the best for this purpose, so that they 



may not become sodden by the water and lose their 



spring; the varnish also materially stiffens the rod. 



The difference in the pliability of a rod before and 



after being revarnishcd is remarkable, as the angler 



can easily prove for himself. 



Rod-makers generally whip the rings on to the rod 



with fine silk, probably on account of neatness, which 



soon gets frayed and comes undone. This is a mistake ; 



very thick silk should be used. 



The Reel. — The reel should be selected of such a 

 weight as will nicely balance the rod, and should be 

 tried with the rod for which it is intended before pur- 

 chase, the tendency being towards the selection of too 



