ROD-FITTINGS. 



15 



lU 



>u r|i|J 



fly out, I do not see why these same devices should not 

 also be used on bottom rods. Two arrangements 

 of the kind which are well adapted for the purpose 

 are Hardy's patent lock-fast joint (see Fig. 1) and 

 Farlow's rod-joint fastener. The lower ends of 

 joints should be always what is termed double 

 brazed — i.e., completely covered with brass. Joints 

 sometimes stick together. By holding them in the 

 flame of a spirit-lamp, or candle, they will usually 

 come apart, the outside ferrule expanding with 

 the heat. It is as well to rub the 

 joints occasionally with vaseline or soft 

 soap ; this prevents them sticking. 



The most common method of fasten- 

 ing the reel or winch to the rod consists 

 of two brass rings — one fixed, the other 

 sliding. The best arrangement of the 

 kind is that known as the Weeger 

 wedge-fast winch-fitting, and there are 

 others which also answer their purpose 

 admirably, such as Warner's patent 

 winch-fitting (in which no rings are Fig.2. Snake- 

 used) and Farlow's Universal winch- rod-ring. 

 fitting. 



Rod-rings are either upright and 

 rigid, or movable. The former are by 

 far the best, and if made of hard 

 metal, according to the pattern illus- 

 trated in Fig. 2, the line will not catch 

 round them. For the top ring of all 

 I have a natural prejudice — shared by 

 a good many other anglers — in favour 

 of the ring shown in Fig. 3. Rings 

 made on that pattern work on pivots, 

 save a good deal of wear and tear 

 to the line by diminishing friction, 

 and the line rarely fouls round them 

 as it does with most other rings. An 



