ROD PEESEEVATION. 



27 



B, wliicli is moved into position by loosening tlie nut C, and 

 sliding B and C along the plate D. The operation is a very 

 simple one, and done in ten seconds. The screw-nut C is so 

 made that it cannot possibly come off and be lost. 



It is the worst possible economy to buy a cheap pike-rod. 

 For bottom-fishing a very inexpensive little affair will do ; but 

 for pike something that will stand much knocking about is 

 required. It may have to land a forty-pounder, remember ; and 

 only imagine the feelings of a man who, after losing such a fish 

 by his rod breaking, is made miserable for the rest of his life by 

 the knowledge that, if he had only expended 5s. extra at the 

 tackle-shop, he might have caught that pike. 



Every spring we should give our pike-rods a coat of coach- 

 maker's varnish, first rebinding any rings which are loose. When 

 joints stick together, the best plan is to hold them in the flame 

 of a spirit lamp or candle : the outside ferrule expands with the 

 heat, and the joints can generally be pulled apart. As a matter 

 of fact, joints will never stick if they are occasionally greased 

 with vaseline or oil, or soft 

 soap — the first for preference 

 When top- joints seem inclined 

 to warp, they should be 

 warmed before the fire, and 

 then hung up, with a heavy 

 weight at the lower end. It 

 is not advisable to warm bam- 

 boo joints. 



Rods are nearly always kept 

 in partition -bags. In shop- 

 made bags the partitions usu- 

 ally fit the joints too tightly, 

 and when shrunk with the wet 

 — as they often are — cause 

 many a ring to be broken. 

 Home-made bags with roomy 

 partitions are far the best. By the way, many a good rod 

 has been ruined by being put into a damp bag. 



The Reel should be strong, simple in construction, large 



Fig. 7, Nottingham Reel, with 

 Adjustable Check. 



