Rods. 



A great variety of rods may be obtained at the 

 shops, ready made, of bamboo, hazel, vine, arid 

 hickory. For general use, those made of bamboo, 

 and having several tops, of various degrees of 

 strength, are best. The rod, when put together, 

 should be perfectly straight, and gradually taper- 

 ing from the butt to the top. 



For the information of those who may be desirous 

 of manufacturing their own rods, we subjoin the 

 following instructions. For the stocks crab-tree 

 will be found preferable (which should be cut 

 in winter), and hazel and yew switches for the 

 tops. Do not use them till they have become 

 fully seasoned, which will require about sixteen 

 months keeping after they are cut; but even 

 beyond this time, the longer they are kept the 

 better they will be. The rod should consist of five 

 or six pieces, so accurately fitted, that when joined 

 together it shall appear as though it consisted but 

 of one piece. The best way of securing the joints is 

 by means of brass ferrules; but if, as is sometimes 

 the case, they are bound together, it must be by 

 thread strongly waxed; the pieces being cut with 

 a slope, or slant, that they may join with the 

 greater exactness. A smooth round taper piece 

 of whalebone may be affixed to the top, about six 

 or eight inches long; on which a strong loop of 

 horse-hair has been previously whipt. 



Fly-rods should be more taper than any other 

 description. Rods for trolling must be furnished 

 with brass rings, whipt all the way up, at about ten 

 or twelve inches distance, for the trolling lines to 

 pass through; the tops for trolling must be strong-, 

 and have rings whipt on ; with pieces of quill, to 



