CHOICE AND USE OF FLY-ROD 51 



prepared to take good care of it. By all means learn 

 how to wind a rod so that frayed or loosened guide or 

 ferrule windings may be replaced at once without wait- 

 ing for a rod maker or anyone else to do it for you. 

 Any experienced angler will gladly show you the trick, 

 or you can pick it up from one of the tackle books, such 

 as Mr. Wells' Fly-Rods And Fly-Tackle before re- 

 ferred to. Wipe the rod dry after fishing and before 

 putting it away in the rod case. 



The handiest single rod case is one of canvas, par- 

 titioned, with a small, cylindrical, metal or wood tip- 

 case. For carrying two or more rods a leather rod 

 case may be used. The cost varies with the size. One 

 of ordinary size and of stiffened leather, costs about 

 $4; of sole leather $12. They are heavy, unwieldy 

 affairs, and, if possible, it is better not to use one. 

 However, for shipping rods by express, and on very 

 hard trips where several rods are carried (in this con- 

 nection see the " tourist " fly-rod) they are indispensa- 

 ble. 



If you keep the rod in a wooden form never tie the 

 strings or buckle the straps too tightly, as this results 

 in warping the joints. For the same reason never 

 lean the rod either jointed or taken-down against any- 

 thing. 



Do not allow the rod to lie on the ground. Damp- 

 ness, and fragility of rod when in contact with large, 

 hobnailed wading boots are the reasons. Dampness 

 will very quickly ruin the very best of fly-rods. 



