io PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



pith and converting the skin into water-pipes. It is this skin, 

 or rind, only, with which we have to deal in rod-making, and 

 that must be taken from a cane about as thick as a man's 

 wrist This is split up into narrow slips, and these slips, when 

 planed and smoothed down, become the solid grained-looking 

 pieces of wood constantly forming the upper splices of top 

 joints. 



But to my text One of the most charming spinning-rods 

 I ever possessed or rather possess, for I am happy to say it 

 still exists came to grief in the butt, and instead of having a 

 new butt of the same wood, bamboo, made in its place, I 

 thought I would try an experiment, and had substituted for the 

 injured member a butt made of ash. The composite weapon 

 thus produced ash butt, second and third joints bamboo, top 

 greenheart seems to combine in an exceptional degree the 

 qualifications to be desired in a spinning-rod. Especially the 

 play and casting capacity of the rod are remarkable, and I think 

 of all the spinning-rods I have, or have had pass through my 

 hands, this is my favourite. The two centre bamboo joints are 

 all that remain of a mottled East Indian cane which I chose 

 from amongst the hundreds in Mr. Farlow's warehouse when 

 a stripling. It has since had tops enough to stock a tackle 

 shop. Can it be that association has prejudiced me also 

 in favour of my schoolboy friend ? Many memories may cer- 

 tainly cling round an old rod, and, perhaps, few veteran anglers 

 could be found to dissent from the following lines in which 

 Stoddart has given expression to the sentiment : 



THE OLD WAND. 



The wand that hath done service fair, 



From thy boyhood to thy prime, 



Onward to thine after-time 

 Cherish. It is worth all care. 



Many a fair-spoken friend 



Hath less friendship in his heart 



Than this passive piece of art 

 And will fail thee at the end. 



