522 



AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



The weakest part of the rod has hitherto been at the 

 junction of the ferrule and the wood in a word, at 3, 

 fig. 15. Ferrules made as fig. 15 represents at 3, "3", 

 are destructive. They are not fit for a fine 

 elaborate rod, because, as no chain is stronger 

 than its weakest link, so this weak spot is a blemish 

 as bad as a spavin on a pacer. The rod is certain 

 to give way at that point before it does anywhere 

 else, and there is no help for it as long as the fer- 

 rule is of the shape shown. 



All great discoveries are simple, and that shown 

 at fig. 16 is at once simple and great; it is the 

 ideal ferrule, and if I know it I will never purchase 

 a rod without it. Unfortunately it is patented 

 though I presume the amateur will not find difficulty 

 in getting permission to use it and therefore only 

 the best makers are licensed to use it. Precisely 

 how this matter stands, I do not know. 



It will be seen that the serrated edges do not 

 bear on the wood at all to its detriment, but rather 

 as a support; and at the same time they take off 

 the strain which, were they not there, would 

 come on the solid part of the ferrule just above 

 them. The device is a perfect adaptation of the 

 means to the end. 



The ordinary reel-seat is confessedly inconveni- 

 ent. It is shown at fig. 17 as now made, 

 Fig. 16. and it must be admitted that when the material is 

 german silver it presents a handsome appearance. But 

 it does not allow of various sized reel-plates being fastened, 

 and herein lies the disadvantage. Notwithstanding the 

 standard of sizes once adopted by the National Rod and Reel 

 Association, few makers make to it; and the result is that 

 only one or two reels that you meet in a life-time fit the 



