174 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



will save much time and trouble in varnishing, and is 

 essential if you wish the rod to look well. 



If the material of which the rod was composed were 

 perfectly homogeneous, and without ferrules, strict ad- 

 herence to our diagram would give the desired result. 

 But such is never the case. No two pieces of wood are 

 alike, even though from the same tree. Much less then 

 can this be the case when the rod is composite in char- 

 acter. Our diagram is as the place of departure to the 

 navigator, a fixed and known point from which to shape 

 our course towards a goal we cannot see. In all cases 

 it will require some, in no two cases the same, modifica- 

 tion. Here enters in the skill and personal equation of 

 the maker. In this I can give you no assistance, beyond 

 the advice to make your changes slowly allow no de- 

 parture from a true curve when the rod is bent and 

 insist that the action is such that the tip is absolutely 

 under the command of the lower portion of the rod. 

 Remember that a rod twelve feet, and one nine feet six 

 inches long, should and may have the same flexibility 

 and action. Some, to-day, still praise the long rod and 

 decry the shorter, just as some still oppose the breech- 

 loader. Six or seven years ago the cry was that the short 

 rod was fit only for short casts and baby-fishing. Now 

 the tune has changed, and the short rod is fit only for 

 long distance casting. Neither is true. Because a short 

 rod is desired that the excessive weight of the long rod 

 (or apparent weight of its greater leverage) may be 

 avoided, it by no means follows that resort must be had 

 to a poker. So again I say, give your rod all the flexi- 

 bility you can, but be sure it is uniform, and that you 

 retain beyond suspicion absolute command of the tip. 

 In so doing, do not overlook the fact that the rod is 



