CARE OF THE RODS 27 



brass brads driven in the walls of the tackle 

 cabinet. The top-rings of the tips will fit these 

 brads, as also the top guides of the joints. Better 

 still, suspend the jointed rod from a hook placed 

 in the ceiling of a cool closet. This applies to 

 split bamboo as well as wood rods, for while 

 the latter are more easily put out of shape dur- 

 ing the frequent changes in temperature in win- 

 ter, split bamboo may also lose its shape in time 

 under the conditions named, particularly the 

 slender tips and middle joints. 



If a wood rod becomes hopelessly set through 

 long use and heavy strain, suspend it from a 

 brad driven into the picture moulding in a ,cool 

 room, where it will not touch anything, and 

 leave a heavy reel on it, the latter, of course, 

 covered with its chamois bag to keep out dust. 

 After a few damp days you will notice the 

 change, and before the fishing season opens the 

 rod should be free from set. But if not, hang 

 a weight on the butt in lieu of the reel. Rods 

 used in tournament casting often become set 

 in the direction of the greatest strain, and this 

 is difficult to correct, but the treatment referred 

 to above will help. Applying heat direct, bend- 

 ing in the opposite direction, and leaving the tip 

 under weights are all too severe for a favorite 

 rod, but it should be straightened if this can 



