28 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



builders have built themselves rods with two or more 

 tips of different lengths and weights but now the 

 man who lacks time or inclination to build can secure 

 such a rod from the market. I commend the tool to 

 serious fishermen. 



MOUNTINGS 



By rod mountings we mean everything attached to 

 the joints butt-cap, hand-grasp, reel-seat, ferrules, 

 guides and tip-top. We may set it down as a general 

 rule that nothing should be added to a rod for the 

 sake of mere beauty, though even that should be 

 taken with a wee bit of Attic salt. However, utility 

 and durability should be our watchwords. To illus- 

 trate : I advocate German silver in all metal parts, 

 not simply because silver is more handsome, but be- 

 cause it renders more lasting service. I am not say- 

 ing that the windings of a rod should not be "foxy" 

 if you have a penchant for that variety of ornamen- 

 tation, or that you should not have your steel rod 

 enameled in any other color save that of black: if 

 you desire green, blue, or what not, that is your 

 affair. However, I think that a strikingly orna- 

 mented rod may have a tendency to frighten an 

 overly shy fish, though perhaps there is little danger 

 on this score in bait casting, whatever may be true of 

 fly-fishing. This is the point I desire to make, never 

 surrender quality to appearance. But more regard- 

 ing this matter as we take up the various mountings. 



