RODS. 83 



Edinburgh and Dunkeld. The upper ferrule is double (vide 

 fig. i in engraving), having a sort of external sheath, into which 

 the upper inch or so of the lower ferrule slips, and is twisted to 

 its place by the hand (fig. 2). The joints fit so closely that it 

 is hardly possible for it to slip. 



A still simpler jointure than the ' Simplex,' but thoroughly 

 sound and working on the ' locking ' principle, is Bernard's 

 Lock joint (see figs. 3 and 4), in which the upper ferrule, 

 furnished with a projecting 'rim,' is slipped down into its place 

 and turned under a 'catch' or rim. It is also practically 

 ' waterproof.' Farlow's joint is represented in figs. 5 and 6. 



Messrs. Hardy Brothers patented another * lock-fast ' joint 

 which is also thoroughly sound and serviceable, and waterproof. 

 The method of attachment is shown in fig. 7, where the two 

 portions of the joint are seen separate, whilst fig. 8 shows the 

 joint when locked. 



Any one of these joint-fastenings will be found in practice 

 immeasurably more convenient than the old-fashioned unfixed 

 double ferrule, or even, perhaps, for the ordinary run of fly- 

 fishers, than the spliced joint, though the latter gives the most 

 perfect play to the rod when once adjusted. . . . 



And yet, in fact, these joints are one and all hastening to 

 oblivion ! The ' Suction Joint,' which I am sure has ' come to 

 stay,' being far and away better than any of the foregoing in- 

 ventions, however ingenious and in their day in advance Of 

 the old tapered, unlocking joint. The suction joint, I may 

 say, comprises all that is ' thinkable ' of perfection, strength and 

 simplicity in a rod-joint, and as nothing can be more perfect 

 than perfection, I advise all fishermen, whether fly-fishers, 

 pike-fishers, or * coarse '-fishers, to have their rods fitted with 

 it in future. Who was author of the ' invention ' if there 

 was one I am unaware ; anyhow, there it is quite delight- 

 fully complete, and subject to no drawback of any sort or kind 

 that I know of, or have been able to discover. I daresay 

 most fishing-tackle makers can or do make the suction joint, 

 but my own was fitted by Farlow. Messrs. Foster Brothers 



G 2 



