166 AMATEUR RODMAKING 



the place of beginning. Whatever the method, 

 pass the strips over a flame before pressing 

 them into contact, in order to be sure the glue 

 is hot, and after the strips have been wound 

 in one direction they can be again passed over 

 a flame, then the reverse winding completed. 

 Use the best French glue, applying it with a 

 flat brush while very hot. Before using fresh 

 glue soak it over night in cold water. It 

 should be quite thin. 



Now sight along each strip alternately and 

 correct the natural tendency to twist spirally. 

 Rolling in the hands while gluing will partially 

 correct this. Fasten the glued stock on a 

 board or a rod by winding loosely around both, 

 to prevent warping. 



Glued joints should be left in a warm room 

 until thoroughly dry. A month is not too 

 long, and some of the best rodmakers dislike 

 to let rods go out of their shops if the stock 

 has had less than four months to dry and 

 harden. As a rule they glue their stock in 

 the autumn and make up rods from it the fol- 

 lowing spring, these rods being kept out of 

 the anglers' hands for six months at least. 

 Tournament rods should season even longer, 

 for they are put to the severest tests. 



Some of the most practical suggestions that 



