52 PRACTICAL BAIT CASTING 



give the beginner some ideas on the subject and then 

 he can graduate into actual rod making. 



As one good solid rod is needed by every caster it is 

 best to start on this material and we would recommend 

 either bethabara, dagama, or greenheart. 



Bethabara or washaba, as it is sometimes called, is 

 a good rod material. It is hard, close grained, and in 

 appearance is similar to light walnut. To avoid sub- 

 stitution, it should be bought only from reliable sources. 

 Usually it is furnished "in square" in four, five, and 

 six feet lengths, one-half, three-fourths, and one inch 

 square, and the rod maker must "work it down." 



Dagama is also a good wood for the beginner. It 

 comes from Cuba and resembles lancewood in color but 

 makes a much better rod and is easy to work with or 

 against the grain. 



After the beginner has worked with solid wood he 

 may attempt to make a split bamboo rod, although few 

 amateurs ever reach that point, as it is so convenient to 

 buy the glued pieces. There are a number of pitfalls 

 for the beginner in rod making and the man attempting 

 his first rod is advised to read "The Amateur Rod- 

 Maker" by Perry D. Frazer. Mr. Frazer is not a 

 professional and there are no doubt better rod makers 

 than he, but few who know, as he knows, the troubles 

 of the beginner and how to avoid them with a mini- 

 mum of expense. 



THE CARE OF THE ROD. 



The steel rod's chief virtue is that it needs little 



