28 FISHING IN EDEN 



butt of larch and the top of lancewood. I managed 

 to get some larch and a piece of old lancewood gig- 

 shaft at Willie Brunskill's. We had a bench and 

 some tools on the hay-loft, and I spent all my time, 

 for several weeks, sawing out, and planing to a 

 taper, my first fishing-rod. 



I then took the two parts, of which I was vastly 

 proud, down to Willie's to splice. This particular 

 part of the great undertaking unnerved me. He 

 teased me about the top being heayier than the butt, 

 but finally made the splice for me. The next thing 

 required was a long wax-end, and this I got from the 

 shoe-maker, and was so far set up. The rings and 

 the holders were bought at the ironmonger's, and 

 after another look at old Dick's rod for the spacing, 

 tied on. 



Alas, this was not the end of my preparation to be 

 a real fisherman. It was necessary to go off again 

 foraging for material, and at a neighbouring farm 

 where there were, and are still, white horses, I 

 managed to get sufficient hair to set about spinning 

 a line. If Hardy's existed at that time, I had not 

 heard of it, or that such simple things as lines could 

 be bought for money, even had I possessed it. 



Finally, however, the line was made and I 

 obtained a reel and some hooks by dint of much 

 saving of pocket money. 



