THE ROD 45 



agate guides, double grips, etc., the prices run up to 

 $10.00. 



The quality of wood rods depends a great deal on 

 the closeness of grain and other characteristics of the 

 pieces used in making individual rods, but as a general 

 thing the different woods rank in merit in about the 

 order we have named them at the beginning of this 

 chapter. 



As a general rule wood rods lack the snappy, thor- 

 oughbred action of bamboo and they are heavier; they 

 excel steel in this respect, but require more care. Some 

 mighty nice rods are made of solid wood. Their action 

 might be described by the word "smooth," and for 

 fairly heavy work or general fishing many experienced 

 anglers prefer them above all others. Prices vary, 

 but a first-class rod in the various woods, comes about 

 as follows: Noibwood, thirteen dollars; bethabara and 

 dagama, ten dollars; greenheart, nine dollars; lance- 

 wood, seven dollars. Two dollars should be added 

 to these prices for agate first guide and tip-top. 



Tournament casters are unanimously in favor of 

 split bamboo, but practical fishermen are not agreed on 

 its all-round superiority. It has some real disadvant- 

 ages, viewed from the angler's standpoint, such as the 

 necessity of overhauling, and sometimes practically re- 

 building every year or so, which to some is work and 

 to others play. Those who look at it in the latter 

 light, of course, do not hesitate to select bamboo. 



