46 FISHING IN EDEN 



that this seat of feeling lies particularly in the ends 

 of the two middle fingers. It is not desired, how- 

 ever, to minimise the importance of those two 

 members of the hand which, by their opposition, 

 are said to distinguish man from the monkey. The 

 firmness of the grip on the handle of the rod 

 depends on the tight, clasping crook of the fore- 

 finger in opposition to the steady, continuous 

 pressure of the ball of the thumb. 



In spite of the " home-madeness " of " Bob's " 

 rods, they were of no use to him unless they satisfied 

 his delicate sense of touch. He took infinite pains 

 in making them for this very reason, and sometimes 

 had to discard a much worked at butt because, by 

 nature, its timber was too obstinate, or cross- 

 grained, to respond to any amount of coaxing. 



His rods were spliced, glued, and wrapped 

 together as they were intended to remain. He did 

 not associate rods, as most of us have to do, with 

 train or motor journeys. His rods were always 

 carried full length in his hand to and from his 

 fishing, and one could not but notice that he was 

 playing with them all the way nervously switching 

 them exery now and then in a reminiscent manner. 

 Patting them on the back as much as to say, " Good 

 old dog, you know what we're after; get ready! ' 



He would say, " It's worth summat to hev a good 



