194 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



strain is brought upon the rod, is altogether ignored. Let 

 any gentleman have one of his rods, especially if it has 

 already taken a set, cut immediately above the handle, 

 and a short, well-fitted simple ferrule inserted to reunite 

 the divided portions, and then try it for one campaign. 



Of course, to bring the rings above, but half a revolu- 

 tion of the butt joint in the handle-ferrule will be re- 

 quired, and the line will then wrap in a long spiral half 

 way round the butt joint. Now if, in reversing the rings 

 to underneath the rod, the precaution be taken always 

 to reverse the motion as well, so that the line will then 

 lead straight to the rings and not wrap all the way around 

 the rod, it (the line) will be found to render equally well 

 in either position of the rings. And unless the teachings 

 of ten years' practical experience are delusive, the more 

 particular he who tries it is in regard to his tackle, the 

 more certain he is to adhere to it ever after. 



Remember always to oil or tallow your ferrules, espe- 

 cially the handle-ferrule, and then wipe them dry before 

 jointing your rod. You will then never be plagued by 

 having the joints stick and refuse to separate, and your 

 handle-ferrule will turn with smoothness and ease, as it 

 should. 



All the strain imposed on the rod is transferred to, 

 and must be overcome at, the junction of the handle and 

 butt joint. It is well, therefore, to give special attention 

 to this point. If the ferrule to receive the butt is to be 

 sunk into the handle which is the method I prefer so 

 that only its mouth appears, it should run the whole 

 length of the grasp. Otherwise, if you overstrike, and 

 on a solid fish, there is danger of splitting the handle. 

 With this construction nine and a half inches is long 

 enough for this part. In this case, having bored the hole 



