8-2 



the tops should be tightly bound over with the m 

 j&nest silk, well waxed, and over all three or 

 four coats of good varnish that is not liable 

 to crack. You cannot bind the splices tight 

 enough with coarse three-cord silk, the top 

 being so small it cannot be drawn together 

 near so well as with fine silk, and when the 

 varnish rubs off it opens and admits the water, 

 which loosens the glued splice inside. The 

 fine waxed silk is to be preferred by all means, 

 as it lies closer on the wood, becomes harder, 

 and makes the splice stiffer to work with the 

 other parts. 



When the whole is ringed, ferruled, and 

 fitted for the reel complete, it should not (a 

 twelve foot) exceed one pound; it will afford 

 great comfort to the fly fisher in his innocent 

 pursuit, and will not fatigue him during a long 

 summer day. The reel should be light, in 

 proportion to the rod, and to contain thirty 

 yards of silk and hair Hne made fine and taper, 

 and when the rod is grasped in the hand a 

 little way above the reel, the balance should be 

 the same above the hand as below it, so tliat it 



( may be used with the greatest ease. 



fe The beautiful rent and glued -up bamboo- 



