12 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



beauty, resilient, yet possessed of sufficient back-bone, 

 and light enough for comfortable casting. Though 

 not the most expensive it sells at $25.00 it is one 

 of the most striking rods in my battery. 



I possess another steel caster for which I paid, I 

 think, $15.00, and when I say that it is a good rod 

 in every sense of the word, I mean just that. The 

 man who speaks contemptuously of the a steel pole," 

 is hardly fair, probably unacquainted with a truly 

 high grade steel caster. I realize just what it-means 

 to go on record as defending the steel rod, but rods 

 as well as his satanic majesty, should have just due. 

 I would as soon think of going on a long wilderness 

 trip without my two favorite split-bamboos as with- 

 out my steeL I often worry about the treatment my 

 bamboos are receiving when upon a hard treck, but 

 have never lost a wink of sleep over my Bristol. 

 Naturally the steel is not possessed of the fine action 

 and quick responsiveness, neither will it shoot the 

 lure as far as will the bamboo or solid wood; but 

 dollar for dollar, I am certain that in the lower 

 priced rods you will secure greater value for your 

 outlay. Writes a correspondent: "I have been 

 attending tournaments for several years and I have 

 yet to see my first steel upon the platform." Per- 

 haps the statement is true, but if so it proves nothing. 

 Unfortunately tournament casting is not fishing, and 

 therefore is not the real test of a rod's quality. 

 There is another reason why the steel is a convenient 



