282 THE RODS THE AUTHOR PREFERS. 



properly fitted, and you must send the rod back to 

 the maker for alteration. If ferrules are finished 

 in a workman -like way they will require little or 

 no whipping with waxed silk." 



My readers will now expect my opinion on the 

 rods above recommended by competent judges. 

 They are all good in their way. In my opinion 

 rods made entirely of lance wood are the worst ; 

 and those made entirely of rent and glued jungle 

 cane are the best. They must be most carefully 

 fashioned, and no maker can turn them out well 

 without charging a high price. I am also of 

 opinion that they will last longer than any other 

 sort of rod, and are far less liable to warping. I 

 have a high opinion of their elasticity, and Mr. 

 Bowness, fishing-tackle maker, of No. 12. Bell- 

 yard, Temple Bar, showed me once a trout fly- 

 rod, made in this, my favourite way, that had 

 been for many years in use, and was still as 

 straight as a wand. I never saw a better single- 

 handed rod. Mr. Bowness is an ingenious, re- 

 spectable tradesman, and judicious angler, and I 

 conscientiously and cordially recommend his fish- 

 ing gear to the attentive notice of the public. 



The best trolling and bottom rods are thus 

 described by Mr. Little : 



The best spinning rod is to be made of beauti- 

 fully mottled East Indian cane. It will be then 

 handsome to look upon, and work lightly and well. 



