STEEL BAIT-CASTING RODS , 19 



varnish or warped joints. You will never make a 

 mistake if you include a steel rod in your kit; in fact, 

 if you are going into the woods far from your tackle 

 supply, as a " safety first " tote a steel bait-caster. 

 The general construction of the steel rod is three- 

 piece with short handle, and the fact that the fer- 

 rules, which are merely a band of bronze, are built 

 right into the rod, overcomes the weakness of the 

 three-piece split-bamboo. It is the most satisfactory 

 rod of the three-piece construction. There is one 

 little old veteran steel rod up in the North woods 

 that started its bait-casting life as a five-footer some 

 six years ago. A number of breaks and accidents 

 have reduced it to a trifle below four feet. The 

 guides have been resoldered a number of times, the 

 enamel has passed away, yet this old pal of a rod 

 made a 31 y 2 -pound musky come up to the gaff, with- 

 out a quiver in its short length, and at that it's still 

 good for many a cast. Wonderful strides have been 

 made in the steel-rod end of the game, and it's here 

 to stay, as is shown by its popularity on the fishing 

 waters anywhere, and if you get a good one you can 

 feel sure that it will be there with the goods when 

 you hook your big one, excellent for learning the 

 game, and, in fact, a fine rod for any time. They 

 can be had in any style and length, the better rods 

 being made with solid cork grips, three piece and 

 separate butt. Agate first guide and tip, with Ger- 

 man silver or hardened steel intermediate guides 



