Rod-making. 193 



be used again and again, till consumed by evaporation, 

 and the little withdrawn upon the surface of the articles 

 dipped therein. Any copper-alloy may be thus blackened. 



THE HANDLE. 



Use a handle with a ferrule immediately above it or, 

 better still, sunk into it to receive the butt joint, the 

 whole so arranged that while the handle remains still, the 

 butt joint can be turned readily, so as to present the rings 

 either beneath or on top of the rod. One handle will 

 thus do for all single-handed fly- rods, heavy or light. 

 You can cast with the rings underneath or above, while 

 the reel always remains in its normal and only conven- 

 ient position that below the hand arid under the handle 

 and you can change from one to the other as your fan- 

 cy dictates. You can play your fish in the same way, 

 changing the direction of the strain in an instant, and a 

 dozen times on the same fish if you wish. Also in order- 

 ing or making a new rod, you will not only save the ex- 

 pense of a new handle and its furniture, but avoid the 

 temptation to use strong language when you find your 

 old reels will not fit. Again, your rod, even if of in- 

 ferior material, will always remain straight and uniform 

 in action. 



Next to discarding the dowel pin, I believe this to be 

 the most valuable improvement which can be applied to 

 the fly-rod as at present made. I am aware this con- 

 struction is not altogether new; but it is uncommon, while 

 its great merit should make it universal. And even when 

 employed, it is not unf requently regarded either as a mere 

 ornament or as a device to make possible a cheaper or 

 lighter handle, while its most important function, the 

 ability frequently to reverse the direction in which the 



13 



