ONE-PIECE RODS 89 



If the handgrasp is single, the length of the 

 reelseat does not so much matter, but when the 

 grasp is double I prefer to cut the reelseat 

 down to a length of ^H inches, and also file 

 the after end of the reel-yoke until its length is 

 only 2^2 inches. This brings the reel nearer 

 the hand, and also places the upper grasp 

 where the left hand can rest on it in spooling 

 the line. 



Formerly I made all my bait-casting rods 

 with double handgrasps, but have finally ar- 

 rived at the conclusion that for tournament 

 casting the upper grasp is a useless thing that 

 serves only to stiffen the rod at that point. I 

 always grasp the reel in spooling line and in 

 playing a fish, holding the reel with three fin- 

 gers of the left hand, while the index finger and 

 the thumb spool the line. Making the grasp 

 single and short adds to the resilience of the 

 rod and makes it neater, and easier to build. 

 I always place the hooded end of the seat down, 

 and if the band is wedged tightly over the 

 yoke, as it should be, there is no play. A 

 great many sea and other rods are made with 

 the hooded end down. 



See that the yoke of your reel is standard. 

 Formerly every manufacturer made yokes as 

 best suited his fancy, but some twenty years 



