1 86 



MODERN SEA FISHING 



appear to be the weak part of this ring, but I have had the 

 invention on my rods for many years, and some thousands of 

 them are in use, yet I never heard of a pivot breaking except 

 when in the hands of careless workmen before 

 being fastened to the rod top. If the ordinary 

 top ring is used, it should most certainly be fitted 

 with the inner ring or lining as shown in the left- 

 hand illustration. The ordinary 

 rings get cut into grooves very 

 quickly, and the great object of the 

 inner ring is that when a little worn 

 it can be moved round and the 

 wearing point shifted. I find, how- 

 ever, that the sharp edges of the 

 inner ring, unless countersunk, are 

 apt to cut or tray the line when it 

 forms an acute angle with the rod, 

 as when a fish has been reeled in 

 and the angler is about to gaff it. 

 This led to my inventing the ring 

 working on pivots, which varies its 

 angle with the angle of rod and line, 

 and so prevents a very great deal of wear and 

 tear. For use with very heavy leads the block 

 or roller ring illustrated in Chapter VII. is pre- 

 ferable to either of the two described. 



All rings should be large and of equal size. 

 It is a great mistake to vary their size, making 

 them smaller towards the top end of the rod. Ring and all 

 other whippings should be of wire, the portion of the rod to 

 be whipped first being served with fine thread. Over the wire 

 a little soft solder can be run with advantage. This makes a 

 very permanent fastening for the rings, &c. 



1 BICKER- 

 DYKE ' END 

 RING 



RIGID TOP 



RING WITH 



MOVABLE 



LINING 



