220 AMATEUR RODMAKING 



of varnish. If it is evenly applied it will be 

 sufficient for split bamboo rods; but coach 

 varnish applied while warm is not very thick, 

 and a light second coat will keep out moisture. 

 The first coat should set in four hours and be 

 hard enough for a second coat in less than a 

 week. The second coat, however, should be 

 given as much time as possible to dry and 

 harden before the rod is used, depending on 

 the temperature. This coat can be deferred 

 with safety until the middle of the season or 

 even until the following winter if the rod is 

 not subjected to hard usage; and if it is still 

 in good condition, the new varnish will make 

 it like a new rod. For hard use, however, two 

 coats of varnish will not be wasted, but three 

 will not be needed. 



If spar varnish is to be used and many 

 salt water anglers employ it three coats, 

 with several days between, will be necessary. 



Cord-wound handgrasps should be given 

 two coats of shellac and one of coach var- 

 nish. More will be likely to render the cord 

 slippery. If the grasp is sumac, omit the 

 shellac and put on two coats of coach, giving 

 it ample time to dry. 



THE END 



