52 ANGLER'S TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT. 



of small twine or thread is then required to make all 

 secure, 



for which purpose there are affixed hooks or projec- 

 tions of brass wire on each length, immediately above 

 and below the place of conjunction. 



I am by no means partial, however, to an innovation 

 lately introduced, namely, the coating with brass of that 

 portion of the inserting joint, which comes into juxta- 

 position with the tube or ferrule. This is done with the 

 view of counteracting the petty annoyance which is 

 liable to occur during wet weather, or in case of the 

 accidental submersion of the rod ; an annoyance arising 

 from the swelling of the confined part of the joint, and 

 that frequently to such a degree, as to render it impos- 

 sible for the angler, by means of mere manual exertion, 

 to separate the pieces. That the brass coating in question 

 does, to some extent, obviate the evil I allow ; but the 

 remedy, and a partial one it is, has its own very objec- 

 tionable points. These, also, proceed from a similar 

 cause, the alternate action of drought and moisture, 

 which action, while it but temporarily affects the wooden 

 joint, produces a more lasting and injurious result upon 

 the brass one ; for, in the latter case, by its operation 

 upon the coated portion of the joint, it subserves, in a 

 short time, to slacken and disturb the overlapping metals, 

 and thus the adaptation of length to length, as well as 

 the general firmness and entirety of the rod, becomes 



