A STRONG FEERTJLE. 25 



having ferrules made, not by cutting lengths ofl: brass tubing, but 

 by moulding each one out of a piece of sheet brass, brazing the 

 edges together, and hammering into the proper shape when 

 cold. I have rods fitted with both kinds of ferrules, and 

 have found that both will occasionally crack* at the joint. 

 Far more important is it, in my opinion, to have round both 

 the upper and lower edges of the female ferrule (Xo. 1 in 

 Fig. 4) a small rim of metal. The two points at which ferrules 

 crack are thus doubled in strength, and the extra weight of 

 the three ferrules so strengthened is under ^oz. The lower 

 end of each joint (except the butt, which should terminate 

 with a good-sized knob of indiarubber) should be double- 

 brazed — that is, the portion which enters the ferrule of 

 the joint below entirely covered with brass (see No. 2 in 

 Fig. 4). 



A word now as to winch-fittings and rings. A 12ft. pike-rod 

 should have at least eleven rings on it, in addition to the top-ring 

 already mentioned. They should 

 be upright, and all of the same 

 diameter as the top-ring — i.e., not 

 less than |in. The best-shaped 

 rings are similar to the one shown Fig. 5. Snake-shaped Rod Ring. 

 in the engraving (Fig. 5), and 



even if a rod is purchased with the ordinary round rings, the ring 

 nearest the butt should be replaced by a snake- shaped ring. 

 The line runs easier through these rings than through any 

 others, and never fouls them — a point of no small importance. 

 They should be made of hardened phosphor-bronze wire — a 

 substance nearly as hard as steel, which has the advantage 

 of not rusting. I think it might with advantage be used 

 for many items of fishing-tackle. Hardened German silver 

 is also coming into use for rod-fittings. All rings sooner or 

 later get cut into by the constant friction of the line, and 

 some anglers prefer the ordinary round rings with an interior 

 revolving ring of steel or bronze, similar to the one shown 



* If a ferrule cracks, bind it round tightly with well-waxed silk twist for Jin. 

 from the top, finish off as shown in Fig. 19, and well varnish. The ferrule will then 

 probably last for years. 



