I 4 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



and turn our attention to the material sailing under 

 its own colors, a material, grade for grade, some- 

 what cheaper than split-bamboo. 



Bethabara, or washaba, is the best easily obtained 

 wood for solid rods. I doubt if this assertion can 

 be successfully contradicted. If you desire a solid 

 wood rod and are willing to pay from $10 up, by all 

 means invest in a bethabara, and the word of my 

 experience for it, you will never regret the outlay. 

 In color, the polished wood resembles butternut, 

 making a very handsome tool, and in this case at 

 least, "Handsome is as handsome does." The wood 

 comes from British Guiana where it is a common tree 

 attaining a height of 100 feet or more. So highly 

 is the tough wood regarded by the natives that it is 

 employed by them in the manufacture of bows, as 

 which it renders lasting and efficient service. The 

 wood is unusually heavy. Wells gives its specific 

 gravity as 1.2140, which would preclude its use for 

 casting rods were it not for its exceeding toughness, 

 because of which rods can be made of small caliber, 

 commensurate in weight with bamboo. Bethabara 

 rods are exceedingly powerful and lively, good 

 casters as well as "good lookers." However, the 

 owner should keep the tool thoroughly varnished for 

 the wood may be warped by changes in temperature 

 or through careless handling, though bethabara is 

 not as prone to offend in this manner as is lancewood; 

 however, any rod, solid wood especially, may warp 



