32 DAYS AMONG THE PIKE AND PERCH 



The joints should always be carefully examined, and see 

 that the ferrules fit strongly and accurately, even down 

 to the tenon or dowel that projects from the bottom end 

 of the joints. There is more in this careful fitting together 

 of a pike rod's joints than is apparent to the novice ; 

 because on an accurate fit depends the power you have in 

 casting out the bait ; or instead you would cast apart your 

 rod joints, or else buckle them up into all sorts of shapes. 

 The ferrules on a rod of this description should be about ten- 

 sixteenths of an inch on the butt, and seven-sixteenths of 

 an inch on the centre, measuring inside diameter of the 

 ferrule. 



The winch fittings of a pike rod should also be a matter 

 of careful selection, as it is necessary that they should 

 grip the plate of the reel firmly, with no possibility of the 

 reel or winch being jerked away from the rod and falling 

 at your feet or rolling into the river. What is known as 

 the tapered graduated fittings are far and away the best, 

 as they grip almost any size reel plate firmly and tightly, 

 a small reel plate being fixed as firmly as a much larger 

 one ; and these winch fittings are so constructed that none 

 of the wood or cane need be cut away from the butt of the 

 rod. 



Whatever you do, don't have a pike rod with a bored-out 

 butt ; this is a source of weakness, and if you must have a 

 hollow handle to carry a spare top in, why, have a landing 

 handle that is so constructed. 



The rings on a pike rod should also be a matter of con- 

 sideration, and they should be fixed on the rod in such a 

 manner, and be of such a size that the line, in whatever 

 method or style the bait is thrown, should run freely 

 through them without the possibility of a catch or tangle. 

 Suppose the angler throws the bait with the line coiled at 

 his feet, and there happens to be a snarl in it, and a pike 

 takes ; the rings should be such that the kink will easily 

 pass through. Rings are many and various ; and a lot of 

 anxious thought has been expended on them ; porcelain 



