284 WALKING CANE RODS. 



material however, and no true roach-fisher should 

 be without one made of it. 



The Thames rod is usually employed in punt 

 angling. It is from ten to eleven feet long, and 

 the best are made of hickory. That wood must 

 be good to bear the weight of the large Thames 

 barbel it frequently has to play and kill, and not 

 unfrequently pike and trout, for if made well it 

 can be used in spinning and trolling. 



Walking cane rods may be made, as far as the 

 butt goes, of divers materials. A walking stick 

 fly-rod, very useful for small streams, is formed of 

 four pieces, three of which enter your walking 

 stick, hollowed out of course, and which serves as 

 a case for them and a handle for your landing net. 

 The fourth piece is the butt, twelve inches long, 

 with winch fittings, &c., in the usual way, and 

 which you carry in your pocket. In pedestrian 

 excursions this is a very convenient article. A 

 good walking stick bottom-fishing rod, has three 

 good joints, inserted into a handsome hollowed 

 piece of ground ash with the bark on. It is a 

 rustic looking affair, but an amateur in walking 

 sticks may have one and a fishing rod to boot 

 made, at least, the walking part of it, of the 

 handsomest Malacca. 



The great rod and tackle-makers of London 

 are, Alfred, of Coleman Street, City; Bernard, 

 Church Place, Piccadilly ; Blacker, of Dean Street, 



