BAMBOO CANES AS RODS. 487 



Mr. Thomas in " The Rod in India" says with regard 

 to them 



" Rods made of bamboo reeds are supplied by the forest, cut 

 in seventeen or eighteen feet lengths, tapering from an inch in 

 diameter at the base, to one-eighth of an inch at the top. If pos- 

 sible never cut the rod, it plays so much better in one piece. 

 A bamboo won't stand splicing it becomes weak at that 

 point and gives under the strain of a heavy fish. Carry the 

 rod about in a female bamboo, split lengthwise, so as to open 

 in two pieces; knock out the joints, and one or two rods 

 will lie neatly in this light but strong case. Lash it round 

 in three or four places, and the rods inside are perfectly 

 secure. At home hang them up like whips, suspended from 

 the small end. In railways they can be tied to the irons 

 of the foot-board of the carriage, and will thus travel safely 

 and be out of the way. Rods not straight when cut, can 

 be straightened by fire and putting under weights." * 



This is the sound practical advice of an experienced 

 fisherman, and to make the rod complete would only 

 require rings to be lapped on, while the reel could be 

 securely fastened on in the same manner. Sir Samuel 

 Baker, when fishing in the Atbara in Central Africa, 

 in 1 86 1, used rods of this description, and as already 

 mentioned, took fish 70 or 80 Ibs. weight with them. 



Mr. Lord also, in his admirable book on American 

 Forest Travelling, mentions with regard to fishing in 

 wild countries : " I never hamper myself with a fishing 

 rod, but just cut the best stick I can find, and trust 

 to strength of tackle rather than to skill in playing a 

 heavy fish in order to land it." f As he tells us he 

 made use of tackle of the most primitive kind, and 

 yet seems to have secured very successful results;, 



* The Rod in India, by H. S. Thomas. 1873, pp. 18 and 19. 

 f At Home in the Wilderness, by J. K. Lord, 1867, p. 146. 



