40 FISHING TACKLE 



sense has saved more valuable property than a 

 fishing rod. 



Now and then the claim is made that vase- 

 line is a preservative that should be used on 

 the rod before it is put away for the winter. 

 Vaseline would very likely keep out damp- 

 ness, but it is very penetrating, and if there are 

 cracks in the varnish, the vaseline would work 

 into them, and discolor windings as well. It 

 seems to me that crude petroleum is a better 

 preservative, but if it is used it should be 

 completely removed before varnishing. Ver- 

 digris will form on brass coated with vase- 

 line, and the same thing applies, though in ,a 

 lesser degree, to German silver, hence this seems 

 to me to be another argument against the use 

 or vaseline on rods. 



Lard oil should be better. I have never used 

 it to prevent fishing rod ferrules from sticking, 

 but have found it peculiarly effective when ap- 

 plied to the friction joints of canoe paddles and 

 tent poles, and see no reason why it should 

 not work well on fishing rods. It is a clean 

 oil, and a very little of it goes a long way. 

 Common lubricating oil, and vaseline as well, 

 pick up grit, and the combination is likely to 

 injure ferrules. All of the lubricating that a 

 good ferrule needs is to wipe it clean, then rub 

 it over youf hair if it fits too snugly. 



