34 DAYS AMONG THE PIKE AND PERCH 



I can cast out cleanly and well without overrunning, jerk, 

 or much friction with the snake, and the plain steel loop at 

 end. 



This question of the rings on a pike rod has been a bone 

 of contention for a long time, and I found that the worst 

 complaints came from the more inexperienced casters 

 men who use a stout and stiff waterproof line, coiled on 

 the ground at their feet, with all sorts of snarls and kinks 

 to contend with ; but in casting direct from the reel with 

 a smooth undressed silk line, I found no fault whatever 

 with the ordinary snake ring. 



There is another thing that must be impressed strongly, 

 and that is, the bottom band or ring of the winch fittings 

 must not be less than seven inches from the button on the 

 butt, or you cannot spin in comfort ; the reason for this 

 will be explained in the chapters on casting. Many times 

 I am asked the question as to whether a very stiff top 

 added to a light chub rod would not make that rod, for 

 all practical purposes, a strong and good pike rod To all 

 such I must answer with a very decided " No." As a 

 practical rod-maker I must say that a short stiff top in a 

 very light rod makes that rod weaker still. Rods are just 

 as strong as their weakest parts ; and a short stiff pike 

 top in a light rod is a great source of weakness ; the strain 

 would all be thrown under the ferrule of the second joint, 

 and the result, if persisted in, would be ruin to that rod. 

 I have seen this many times, a lovely roach rod quite 

 spoilt by making it do what it never was intended for. 

 My advice is, have a pike rod, and use it for pike-fishing, 

 and do not be deluded into making a pike rod of an old 

 favourite roacher. 



On page 30 will be found an illustration of a good pike 

 rod, one that is the result of much anxious thought. It is 

 built after the most approved pattern, has plenty of power 

 in all its joints, and yet a pretty good spring that will 

 respond gamely to the most vicious tugs and runs of a 

 twenty-pounder. 



