60 AMATEUR RODMAKING 



the ring is of the same form as the agates used 

 for the same purpose, but the steel ring is 

 made loose enough to turn in the wire that 

 holds it, in order that it will not wear from 

 the constant friction of the line. The wires 

 are lashed to the rod tip with silk. The form 

 shown in Fig. 24 differs only in that these wires 

 terminate in a tube. Wires and tube are Ger- 

 man silver. 



For guides and tops of fly-rods German sil- 

 ver is too soft and is soon cut in grooves by 

 the friction of the line. Any mechanic can 

 make these loose steel tops, or they can be pur- 

 chased from the importers. Agate or steel 

 tops, and steel guides, are necessary for tour- 

 nament fly-rods. The hand guide should be 

 agate, steel, or phosphor bronze, as during the 

 constant stripping in and shooting of the line 

 it is held at an angle to the rod, causing con- 

 siderable friction and wear on the first or hand 

 guide. 



Novices who have access to machine tools 

 can make guides and tops for both fly- and 

 bait-casting rods of hard steel and of the form 

 shown in Figs. 19-24, inclusive. Steel is in 

 every way adapted to guides and tops, and if 

 neatly made they are light, strong, and dur- 

 able. Many novices make all of their rod fit- 



