254 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



this by the fact that practical mechanics so habitually 

 give substantially this form to the grasp of articles 

 which are to be brandished in the hand without slipping. 



It may not be amiss to mention that a grasp may be 

 made from a corn-cob, which is by no means to be de- 

 spised, provided the hand of the user is not too delicate. 

 Its merits are its light weight and the firm hold af- 

 forded by its corrugated surface. Its demerits are that, 

 if used immediately after handling a fish and without 

 first washing the fish slime from the hands, it becomes 

 dirty and is difficult to clean. This objection may be 

 overcome to a great extent, it is true, by varnishing the 

 surface ; but the very characteristics which give it its 

 merit are impaired thereby. 



Cork -covered grasps for the handles of rods have 

 come into somewhat extensive use since this book was 

 first issued. It is believed nothing better is known, al- 

 ways provided the cork grasp is built up from cork 

 washers of substantial thickness, and is not a mere sheet 

 of thin cork wrapped around and glued upon the han- 

 dle. The washer construction will last with the rod, 

 and when it becomes soiled may readily be washed clean 

 with soap and water. The sheet method looks better 

 as long as it preserves its integrity, but sooner or later 

 it flakes off sooner if used much in the rain or allowed 

 to become and remain damp for any length of time. 



A word of caution before leaving this subject. When 

 the ferrule to receive the butt joint is countersunk and 

 cemented within the handle, the cement sometimes 

 cracks in cold weather and the ferrule begins " to creep" 

 that is, slowly to work out from the action of the rod. 

 It is better to render this impossible at the outset by 

 running a pin through ferrule and handle just before 



