Rod-making. 249 



joints, and five tips was contained in a water-tight 

 screw-capped tin pipe one and three-eighths inches in 

 diameter ; my one independent handle being in my 

 pack with my fly-book and reel. Each of my joints lay 

 solidly against its fellows, supported- and straight 

 throughout its length. Theirs, if straight, could touch 

 the butt joint only at the ferrule and handle, so that, 

 bound into a bundle as convenience of carriage required, 

 they were constantly crooked except when jointed and 

 in use. I cannot recollect ever to have seen a much- 

 used rod with integral handle and butt joint, which had 

 an equal action on the back and forward cast. Such 

 rods I have always found softer when so bent that 

 the ringed side was concave, than when bent in the 

 opposite direction. This, to my sense of propriety, is an 

 abomination. As far as pleasure is concerned, I would 

 as soon cast with a rod the ferrules of which were loose, 

 as with a rod of such unequal action. Though a rod 

 may have this desirable quality in perfection when 

 new, I am convinced that it can be retained but for a 

 small part of what should be its unimpaired life, in the 

 absence of an independent handle so united to the butt 

 joint that the rod can be turned therein while fishing, 

 so as to bring the rings at frequent intervals alternately 

 on top and underneath the rod. 



I am quite aware of the theory that if one casts with 

 the rings underneath, and plays his fish with the rings 

 uppermost, the one strain will offset the other and the 

 rod remain straight and equal in action. But if the 

 proof of the pudding is in the eating, unless my obser- 

 vation is at fault, it is a matter of theory only and not 

 of fact. Few rods, it is believed, have been subjected 

 to strains more severe than my own, used, as it con- 



