ONE-PIECE RODS 85 



and none can be exactly alike. In Fig. 29 the 

 lower line of figures mark the six-inch stations ; 

 the upper figures the final calibers of a beth- 

 abara rod. It will be noted that, commenc- 

 ing at the cylindrical butt end, the calibers de- 



Fig. 29. Calibers of a Bethabara Rod. 



crease rapidly to the thirty-inch station, then 

 are nearly uniform to a point close to the top. 



Mark these calibers on the lower line of 

 your paper, and note the variations between 

 them and the calibers of your rod. Then 

 scrape or sandpaper from your pencil mark to- 

 ward the tip, gauging often until your rod is 

 very nearly as small as it is to be finally. Now 

 tie on a reel, guides, and top and try the rod 

 in casting. If it pleases you, go over it lightly 

 with fine sandpaper and fit the agate top per- 

 manently. Use a flat file in tapering the wood 

 to fit the tube snugly. Heat your ferrule ce- 

 ment and coat the wood lightly with it, then 

 heat the tube of the top, push it home, and turn 

 it around until the inside is evenly coated with 

 cement. 



Measure from agate top to butt and saw the 



