Rod-making. 265 



varnish under the rings on each side. This is important, 

 lest water find its way under the silk and turn it white, 

 to the ruin of its appearance. Then apply the varnish to 

 the wrapping so treated with a small, flat, artist's bristle 

 brush, being careful not to run over on to the polished 

 joint. Lay on the varnish in a thin coat, and by no means 

 so that it will run. If you have applied an excess, wipe 

 your brush dry with a piece of paper, and take it up 

 therewith. Treat each winding in succession. Continue 

 this process, drying as when varnishing the rod itself, 

 until you have a smooth solid surface. Your rod is then 

 complete, and the pleasure its use will afford over and 

 above even a better one, which is the handiwork of an- 

 other, will be at least fifty per cent. 



TIPS. 



Already the importance of having this part as light as 

 possible, because of its distance from the hand and con- 

 sequent leverage, has been dwelt on. But it must also 

 be elastic and prompt in action to pick the fly sharply off 

 the water and send it behind the caster without effort, 

 since otherwise nice casting, if not out of the question, is 

 at all events much more difficult. 



I know of but two materials at all suitable for tips 

 lancewood and split-bamboo.* They are related in order 

 of merit, the former to the latter, as the silver dollar of 

 our fathers is related to a five-dollar gold-piece. Many 

 amateur rod-makers stand aghast at the idea of working 

 split-bamboo, and to make a good six-strip hexagonal rod 

 does require considerable skill and judgment. But to 



* Some light-colored greenheart equals lancewood for this purpose; 

 also see Chapter on Rod Material, under head of " Dagame." 



