FISHING RODS. 81 



to put up with an ounce or two of extra weight on account 

 of its other desirable qualities. 



A rod composed entirely of lancewood, made by Abbey 

 & Imbrie, has a handle, including grip and reel-seat, con- 

 structed of hard rubber, the grip being corrugated to in- 

 sure a firm hold of the hand. This is an excellent rod, 

 with German silver mountings, and the only fault, to my 

 mind, is a grip of unnecessary length that adds somewhat 

 to the weight and length of the rod. I am aware that 

 many anglers prefer a long grip, extending a foot or more 

 below the reel-seat, but this is essentially wrong in a single- 

 handed rod, as the Henshall rod is intended to be. In a 

 rod that is held in both hands a long grip is entirely 

 proper. 



And last, and least (in weighty but in nothing else), comes 

 a split-bamboo, made by Mr. H. L. Leonard, for Wm. Mills 

 & Son, and which he styles " Dr. Henshall's Favorite." 



This rod is made according to the table of specifications 

 before given, except that the ferrules are -^ of an inch less 

 in diameter, and the grip is just six inches long. The 

 handle is made of spruce, with a plain grooved reel-seat and 

 reel-bands, and is wound above and below with rattan strips 

 and silk thread. The mountings are all of German silver, 

 and the metal tips are lined with agate. This rod weighs 

 hardly seven ounces, and is the most powerful one for its 

 inches and ounces that I ever handled. It is a work of art 

 in its construction, and a marvel of ingenuity and skill in 

 its action. 



The list of rods given above makes a handsome and, to 

 an angler, a delightful exhibition of skill and good taste, 

 and shows what remarkable progress has been made in this 

 branch of industry of late years by our rod makers, who, now 



