FITTINGS FOR THE FLY-ROD 35 



catalogued and sold simply as cork is nothing more 

 than a thin sheathing of cork, or a composition re- 

 sembling the same, glued over a wooden form. It is 

 the worst and most unserviceable of all handgrasps. 

 Solid cork grips are always so described, and consist of 



SWELLED HANDGRASP OF FLY-ROD. 



a number of thick, graduated cork " washers " closely 

 fitted and glued over a core of wood, making a light, 

 strong grip, one that feels good to the rod hand and 

 affords an easy and firm hold. And it will last. 

 Handgrasps of the other materials, especially the cel- 

 luloid grasp which is generally corrugated, are more 

 or less hard on the rod hand in long continued casting. 

 Next in order to the solid cork grasp the cane-wound 

 is most satisfactory. 



The handgrasp for the fly-rod is made in two gen- 



SHAPED HANDGRASP OF FLY-ROD. 



erally accepted forms as regards the shape. These are 

 the " swelled " grasp and the " shaped " grasp. The 

 swelled grip is largest in circumference at the middle 

 and gradually tapers toward the ends. The shaped 

 grasp tapers from the middle but enlarges again at 

 each end. Either is perfectly satisfactory and whether 



