56 ROD AND RIVER 



one with five joints to the latter, because I do not 

 consider that more than four are advisable. How- 

 ever, we may take it as a general rule that three 

 are sufficient. As I say, the best rod in my col- 

 lection is a four-jointed rod, and it is one of the 

 very best rods I ever handled. I wish I knew 

 the makers' name. I fancy it may have been 

 Messrs. Allcock, of Redditch, but I do not know 

 for certain. I regret that Mr. Cox (from whom I 

 purchased it) has left business in Winchester, 

 though he is very ably represented by Mr. George 

 Currell, the well-known fisherman and tackle- 

 maker. 



It is essential that all the fittings of a rod should 

 be as good of their kind as possible. Nothing is 

 a greater nuisance than a badly-tempered ferrule, 

 or one which is badly fitted. The ferrules, both 

 male and female, should fit exactly, and in a well- 

 finished rod the brazing should be double, i.e., the 

 whole of the male ferrule should be brazed, and 

 the fitting should be so exact, that although it 

 should be easy to take the rod to pieces, without 

 the joints sticking, the latter should never work 

 apart when put together, and though it is always 

 advisable to tie the joints by means of the eyes, 

 which are bound on the ferrule for this purpose, 

 there should be no fear of their working apart, if 

 the tying is at any time omitted. 



There are several kinds of patent joints which 



