TacKle TalKs 143 



resistance of the bent rod, constantly maintained, that 

 not. only tires out the fish, but protects the weak snell 

 or leader from breakage, and prevents a weak hold of 

 the hook from giving way; and this is the proper 

 function of the rod." James A. Henshall, Favorite 

 Fish and Fishing. 



Silkworm Gut. "The features to be sought are 

 good color, a hard, wiry texture, roundness, even 

 diameter from end to end, and length. From these are 

 to be inferred the strength and wearing quality of the 

 gut, which are what we wish to estimate. From the 

 color we infer whether the gut is fresh or stale, its 

 probable strength in relation to its thickness, and, in 

 part, its wearing quality. In all these respects fresh 

 gut is superior to old gut of original equal quality. 

 The color can best be judged from the fuzzy end of the 

 hank, and should be clear and glassy, and by no means 

 dull or yellowish. The wearing quality of the gut 

 may be judged partly by its color, partly by its 

 springiness when bent and released, and also by its 

 hardness. It should feel like wire." Henry P. 

 Wells, Fly-Rods and Fly-Tackle. 



Ronalds' Rod. "The best materials are ash for the 

 stock, lancewood for the middle, and bamboo for the 

 tip." Alfred Ronalds (1836). 



South's Rod. Theophilus South, in his Fly Fish- 

 er 1 s Text Book (London, 1845), prefers ash to wil- 

 low for butts, hickory for middle joints, and 

 favors tips made from lancewood, cane, and whale- 

 bone, spliced together four and even five pieces 

 in a tip. 



