452 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK 



close togetlier. If joined with the best glue, and well oiled 

 before applying the varnish, such an accident would seldom 

 or never occur. Besides, there is no necessity for an angler 

 getting his rod wet at all. A good tip may be made by 

 gluing two pieces of cane together after cutting away the soft 

 inner part, though they are not as apt to bend equally as a 

 quarter-section tip does. 



Glue. — Irish glue has a reputation with some persons. I 

 have generally used the white American article known as 

 " bone glue ;" but from some experiments lately made with 

 " Hilton's glue and cement," which is said to be waterproof, I 

 am convinced of its superiority over anything else for a rod- 

 maker's purposes. 



In making fly-rods for some of my friends, I have lately 

 adopted a plan by which the same rod may be used for either 

 light or heavy fishing. This improvement consists in having 

 the butt in two pieces ; the upper piece being about three feet 

 long, has a ferule on the lower end, into which the handle — 

 if I may so call the lower part of the butt — is fitted. There 

 are two handles, one of a foot or fifteen inches, and the other 

 two feet long. In wading the stream it is intended that a tip 

 of the ordinary length, that is, as long as the middle joint, 

 and the short handle shall be used. In fishing from a boat 

 where the run of Trout is large, the rod is rigged with a. 

 stouter tip, but nine inches shorter, and the long handle. 

 Thus taking from the rod at the small end or tip, and adding 

 as much at the butt. If the rod is to be lengthened, the 

 longer tip and long butt are both used. 



To MAKE Ferules. — The materials and implements used 

 in making ferules for fishing-rods are, sheet-brass or German 

 silver, a pair of shears to cut it, mandrels to round the ferules 

 on, a knife file, annealed (or, as it is sometimes called solder- 

 ing) wire, a small smooth-faced hammer, a light wooden 



