VARNISHING THE ROD. 19 



portmanteau, or carried in a pocket. They are usually of 

 cane or other light material, and are useful for light fishing 

 in small streams. The walking-stick rod used to be a great 

 favourite with the dilettanti fishermen. It is made of 

 bamboo, and the joints fit into one another in the same 

 manner as a telescope. A handle screws into the upper 

 end, and a ferule to the lower, so that it may be used as 

 a walking-stick. I cannot recommend the young angler 

 to outlay his money in so fancy an article. 



The price of rods varies from sixpence to three or four 

 guineas. A good useful rod may be bought for half-a- 

 guinea. The cheap rods are only useful as toys for chil- 

 dren. Kods should be kept in a canvas bag ; and as damp 

 is their great enemy, they should always be wiped dry 

 before being put away. If they have been much used 

 during the season they ought to be re-varnished. For this 

 purpose coachmaker's varnish (copal) is the best. Two 

 coats are required, and the first should be dry ere the 

 last is laid on. If copal varnish is not to be had 

 an excellent substitute may be thus made : Spirits 

 of wine, 2 oz. ; orange shellac, 1 oz. ; gum benjamin, 

 oz. The mixture must stand a fortnight before using. 

 Another receipt is as follows : Gum sanderach, 4 oz. ; 

 shellac, 2 oz. ; gum benjamin, 1 oz. ; spirits of wine, 2 pints. 

 When dissolved add two ounces of Venice turpentine. 

 Dragon's blood will give it a warm red tone; Vand} 7 ke 

 brown a rich brown colour ; black sealing-wax, dissolved 

 in spirits of wine, will make a fair black varnish. In the 

 absence of varnish of any kind, the rod may be rubbed 

 over with boiled linseed (drying) oil. The practice of 

 painting rods, as recommended by Isaak Walton, is seldom 

 followed now, and cannot be recommended as a pro- 



