MAKING AND CHOOSING RODS, &C. 13 



with sallad, or linseed oil : if they are bored 

 pour in either of the oils, and let them soak there- 

 with for twenty-four hours, then pour it out again 

 and it will preserve them from the least injury. 

 In general the length of the rod is to be deter- 

 mined by the breadth of the river you angle in, 

 but a long rod is always of more use than one 

 too short ; provided it is truly made, one of 

 about five yards and a half long you will experi- 

 mentally find to be quite sufficient. When you 

 have taken your stocks and top from the place 

 that you put them in for seasoning, (where they 

 must have remained sixteen months at least,) 

 match them together in just proportion ; and let 

 the rod consist of five or six pieces ; if you ferrel 

 it, observe that they fit with the greatest nicety, 

 and in such a manner as when put altogether 

 they may not wriggle in the least, but be in pro- 

 portion, and strength, as if the whole rod were 

 but one piece. If you bind them together, it 

 - must be with thread strongly waxed, having first 

 cut the pieces with a slope," or slant, that thej 

 may join each other with the greatest exactness, 

 and then spread a thin layer of shoemaker's wax 

 over the slants, or a glue, which I have set down 

 in the arcana for the angler's use ; afterwards 

 you must cut about six inches off the top of the 

 rod, and in its place whip on a smooth, round 

 and taper piece of whalebone, at the top of that 

 a strong loop of horsehair; than the whole will 

 be completed, and thus made will always ply 

 with a true bent to the hand. Your fly rods may 

 be made in the same manner ; but note, must 

 be much more pliant than the others, and more 

 taper from stock to top. It is of service to them 

 to lay by some time before you use them. 

 Your top for the running line must be always 



