RODS. 13 



lina or East Indian cane (bamboo)* 10ft. or lift, punt-rod, 

 and an lift, or 12ft. rod, of East Indian cane, a good deal 

 stouter and stronger, but in other respects similar, will be 

 found very suitable for bottom fishing generally. For ladies 

 or boys slightly shorter rods are advisable. These bottom 

 rods are usually made with lancewood tops, but greenheart 

 is far better, and should always be ordered. The light lift, 

 rod is best made in three pieces, each 3ft. Sin. in length; 

 and it is a capital plan to have an extra butt (the butt is 

 the lowest length) made the same, or a greater length, which 

 can be added when a longish rod (15ft. Sin.) is required. 

 The increased cost is very trifling. I have adopted this plan 

 for some years with, occasionally, great advantage. 



If the angler can only afford to purchase one rod, he will 

 have to choose one something between the two above described ; 

 and whether he buy only one, or a dozen, he should take a 

 friend with him who understands such matters. It is next 

 to impossible to give an exact description of a rod on paper. 



* I am indebted to a gentleman connected with the wholesale fish-hook and 

 tackle trade for the following account (sent me with specimens) of the various 

 canes which are called indiscriminately bamboo or bamboo canes, and are used in 

 rod-making :— 



" First in point of importance is, undoubtedly, the ' East India,' or ' Mottled.' 

 These canes are largely used for splitting for built cane fly-rods, also for making up 

 into spinning and trolling rods, and bottom rods of all kinds, and even for stiff 

 fly-rods. They grow to 20ft. and 25ft. long, and taper to a point. 



"'Carolina,' or 'South' cane (or 'South Carolina,' which is the proper name, 

 and which indicates, I suppose, the locality where grown), is what is ordinarily uped 

 for cane or bamboo bottom and general rods. It is much cheaper than East India 

 cane, and of course lighter, though not nearly so strong. Canes of this kind 

 are rarely obtainable larger than about lin. in diameter at the thick end, and 

 are about the same length, and taper to a point, as the East India cane. I 

 send you a sample stained as well as plain, as the staining so alters the appear- 

 ance that you might take them for two distinct sorts. This Carolina cane is now 

 getting rather scarce, so another kind has been introduced, called by the cane- 

 importers, ' Yellow Bamboo Rods.' They are about the same len^hs, &c., as the 

 Caroliiias, and though much stronger, are not so good for rod-making, as the knots 

 are so large and prominent, and there is always a flat piece, or ' gutter,' going up 

 from each knot. They are called by some people ' Japanese ' canes, though I 

 don't think they come from Japan. 



" ' White Spanish,' or * Portuguese ' cane (or, properly, reed) is very light, and 

 is used for making— the butts and tops excepted— the long roach rods which 

 the Lea roach-fishers use. They grow up to about 20ft. long, and towards the thin 

 end the knots are very close together. 



*' Tonquins are only to be got in short lengths, about S^ft., of various sizes, from 

 about fin. to lin. diameter. They are nearly straight— i.e., there is little, if any, 

 taper on them; they are very strong, will almost stand jumping on, but are 

 necessarily heavy. 



" Jungle Cane is solid and very heavy. It is used to split up for splicing on the 

 ends of lancewood and other fly tops. The piece sent is a length between two 

 knots, and is just ready for splitting. " F, W." 



