204 AMATEUR RODMAKING 



1-32 of an inch from the next one for an 

 inch or more, then winding solidly ten or 

 twelve turns, followed by another inch or two 

 of spiral winding, and so on to the first guide, 

 where the silk ends. Another series of bands 

 and spiral windings is begun on the opposite 

 side of the guide, ending at the second guide, 

 or the ferrule, as the case may be. 



This spiral winding calls for two or three 

 coats of varnish, which should fill the inter- 

 stices between spirals, so that the surface will 

 be smooth, as otherwise a knock or rough 

 handling will break the single strands of silk. 

 The bands alone are coated with shellac. 



As previously stated, I have great faith in 

 the conclusions arrived at after long experi- 

 ence by Frederic M. Halford. He advocates 

 winding fly-rods closely, from one-half to 

 three-quarters of an inch apart. In his opin- 

 ion this increases the steely spring of a split 

 cane rod and strengthens wood rods appre- 

 ciably. He does not state how wide these 

 windings should be, but it is assumed that 

 they are narrow, say seven threads in width, 

 since wider ones are unsightly. 



When your rod is ready to be wound, your 

 hands being perfectly clean, lay on your work 

 table a small spool of buttonhole silk, the silk 



