244 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



operation you must by no means put the ferrule in a vise. 

 Hold its handle in the left hand, laying the ferrule in a 

 shallow groove not over a quarter of an inch long, so that 

 if you do not apply the file straight, the ferrule will rock 

 a little to meet it. To file flat and true is one of the most 

 difficult of mechanical operations, and few even of trained 

 artisans ever acquire it. Should the male ferrule be too 

 small, insert a round piece of iron which fits it nearly, 

 and stretch it with a hammer until too large. Then 

 finish as before. 



If, however, the female ferrule is too small, mount it 

 on a handle inserted only at that end, and not quite as 

 far as the joint is intended to enter. Carefully round a 

 stick of such size that when wrapped with emery-cloth, 

 to be glued on, it will just fit. Oil the latter, and grind 

 out the inside of the ferrule, giving some longitudinal as 

 well as rotary motion to the stick. Unless the quantity 

 to be removed is considerable, the ferrule should not be 

 stretched on a metal rod under the hammer. When you 

 have finished, wipe the oil and abraded material from 

 your files and emery-sticks, and put them away for future 

 use. When the female ferrule is too large, there is no 

 remedy for the amateur but to buy another. 



German-silver takes a better temper* can be made 



* When the amateur, at least, speaks of " German-silver," he is apt to 

 suppose that he refers to a fixed alloy of definite characteristics. This 

 is not the case. The term "German-silver" is applied indiscriminately 

 to all alloys of copper, nickle, and zinc, with or without lead or iron, 

 irrespective of the proportions in which they are combined, or the char- 

 acteristics of the compound color excepted. 



They are by no means equally suited to the angler's use, especially 

 for ferrules. The desiderata are malleability, that the alloy may be 

 easily worked, and stiffness, that it may retain the form given it by the 



