49 MAKESHIFT FISHING-RODS. 



four months growth during the rainy season. The best 

 rods therefore will obviously be got from old canes 

 that have had abundance of time to harden; so hard 

 do some varieties then become that they turn the edges 

 of knives, etc. 



Besides bamboos, however, hazel, and other shrubs, 

 produce straight sticks that make heavy but still very 

 fairly good makeshift rods. All of them require to be 

 treated in the same way: rings have to be bound on 

 at intervals, as upon the rods of the tackle shops. 

 For travellers' use, especially both for sea and tropical 

 waters, brass rings are by far the best. Two sorts 

 must be carried top rings, and ordinary running rings 

 for the line to go along the length of the rod. For 

 choice, when fitting up a rod in the new, it is always 

 better to have " stand-up " rings. Lapping silk, or 

 flaxen thread, such as is used by sailmakers, is also 

 wanted. In makeshift rods the reel must be bound on 

 like the rings. Clearly however no makeshift rod will 

 ever be so light, handy, and pleasant to use, as one 

 that has been turned out by an artist in manufacture, 

 though a good section of bamboo may go very near 

 to approaching the less highly finished sorts. 



What is mainly wanted, however, is a strong, ser- 

 viceable article, not by any means necessarily a hand- 

 some one. 



As regards lines, it is desirable to have fishing lines 

 as thin as is compatible with strength. There are of 

 course many " makes " of fishing lines, upon the relative 

 merits of which opinions may differ; probably those 

 known as "American lines " are as strong and good as 

 any. For playing heavy fish, lines of considerable 

 length will be required, say from 150 to 200 yards. 



