178 Fly -rods and Fly -tackle. 



with their attention, I now address myself, asking but a 

 patient hearing and a just and impartial decision. 



1st. It is an elementary principle of fishing lore, that a 

 one-piece rod without any joints whatever, is the most 

 uniform in action, and efficient in use. But convenience 

 of transportation, since it is given to but few to cast the 

 fly at their own threshold, precludes such a rod. Never- 

 theless it is, confessedly, the ideal rod, and the nearer it 

 can be approached, the better. So far there will be little 

 difference of opinion. 



Unquestionably the chief feature to which the merit of 

 such a rod is due, is the absence of stiff and inelastic 

 places therein. Its bend is uniform from one end to the 

 other. This can be approached in a jointed rod only by 

 reducing the inelastic portions to a minimum; or, in other 

 words, by shortening the ferrules to the utmost extent 

 consistent with safety. If this is so, it is conclusive that 

 the dowelled ferrule is, in this, inferior to one without 

 dowels, since not only must the ferrule itself be longer, 

 but it must be capped at the junction of the ferrule and 

 joint as well, thus further prolonging the unbendable por- 

 tions of the rod. 



2d. Though little complaint can now be made of the 

 prices asked for good rods, considering the really elegant 

 workmanship displayed and the great difficulty and ex- 

 pense of obtaining fit material a difficulty and outlay 

 not justly appreciated by the uninitiated still the pur- 

 chaser might with propriety wish the benefit of any 

 diminution of cost which neither impaired the value of 

 the rod, nor lessened the already reasonable profit of the 

 maker. 



The dowelled ferrule and its mate practically consist 

 of two ferrules, one cap for female ferrule, metal dowel 



