PIKE-TACKLE. 15 



Bond Street, which seems as if it might be made available, but 

 the proprietors are either unable or unwilling to devote the 

 necessary time to trying the experiment on a scale to bring it 

 within the range of possible commercial success. 



Whilst on the subject of trolling-rods I may, perhaps, say a 

 few words as to the Ferrules. 



These should always be what is termed ' hammered,' and 

 not ' tube-cut.' The ferrules used for the commoner rods, or 

 tube-cut ferrules, are simply cylinders, of the same size at both 

 ends, and cut. off, two or three inches at a time, as required, 

 from a piece of common soldered brass piping. These, of 

 course, cost next to nothing, and break or bulge with the first 

 strain put upon them. The ferrules used by the really good 

 tackle-makers are made, I am informed, each one separately, 

 out of sheet brass, hard-soldered, or brazed, and then ham- 

 mered out into the proper shape on steel triblets, a process 

 which, though somewhat costly and tedious, makes the ferrule 

 in the end almost as hard as the steel itself (' Book of the Pike '). 

 I am not myself a practical rod-maker, and am, of course, 

 therefore, obliged in these matters to depend for my information 

 upon the tackle-makers, whom I always find most obliging in 

 imparting their knowledge, even where it may be considered 

 in the nature of a trade secret. In the present case there 

 appears to be some difference of opinion in regard to the 

 information I have received through the profession ; and the 

 following was sent to me by an amateur rod-maker of large 

 practical experience, but who does not wish his name to be 

 published : 



' I am inclined to think that the cases referred to (in your 

 " Modern Practical Angler ") where the brass ferrules of rods 

 " bulge " and give way, are to be thus explained. The best 

 tubing is mandrel-drawn, and I do not think any hammering 

 would produce a density of metal so hard as that which results 

 from well-drawn tubing : but it often happens (too often) that 

 the tube and its correcter do not fit with that nice accuracy 

 which is essential. In such case what does the ferrule-maker 



