CONCERNING PIKE RODS 31 



of the question. Some men will swear by greenheart, all 

 through, from handle to tip ; others swear by a combina- 

 tion built with an English ash butt, a lancewood centre, and 

 a greenheart top. I used one of the latter for years, and 

 right good service did it give me. But one thing can be 

 urged against these solid wood rods ; they are inclined 

 to be very heavy. Good, tough, and nearly solid cane has 

 sprung up of late years as the principal material to use in 

 a pike rod, and certainly I know of nothing more durable, 

 more light, or more handsome when nicely spotted, mot- 

 tled, and polished. As good and as cheap a pike rod for 

 all practical purposes, and one that will be within the 

 reach of all, should be made in three lengths ; the butt 

 and centre of good tough and lasting male cane, and the 

 tops either greenheart or lancewood. I have used both, 

 and have no choice ; sometimes I have fancied greenheart 

 has more resistance than lancewood ; then again I have 

 thought that lancewood sprang better to the pull of a fish, 

 and the bait was thrown out a little easier ; then again 

 I fancied my greenheart top stopped that eight-pounder 

 from running into that bed of flags easier and quicker ; 

 but, as I said, I really have no choice now. But every 

 pike rod should have two tops ; one for paternostering 

 and live-baiting, the other for spinning, the latter being 

 a few inches shorter than the former, and just a wee bit 

 stiffer. 



If the handle is fixed over the cane of the butt, so as to 

 form a balance grip, and finished off with cork, cane, 

 string, or wood, it will be all the better for freedom of 

 balance and easy casting ; while a rubber knob or button 

 screwed in the end of the butt will be found a special 

 comfort during a long day's spinning. 



The length of a pike rod for easy spinning over open 

 waters and shallow weedy runs, where quick recovery of 

 your line and bait is necessary, need not be more than from 

 ten to eleven feet, the former being about the most useful 

 length for casting with, and the latter for paternostering. 



